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Tameside: A golden moment

Thursday, 8 May 2025 07:00

By Mike Wallbank

Cheers! Forties sweethearts Kath Chandler and Marie Molloy proposing a toast to everlasting peace at the Penny Farthing VE Day party

Tameside towns were painted red, white and blue in May 1995 as pubs, clubs and community organisations celebrated the 50th anniversary of VE Day. 

The Penny Farthing pub on St Anne’s Road was decked out with flags, sandbags,  photographs and memorabilia to rekindle the wartime spirit as families tucked into spam sandwiches and jelly. A commemorative VE Day £2 coin was given to every child.

Amid the fun and games and partying, the sacrifices of those who fought in the Second World War were not forgotten with the Royal British Legion out on parade in remembrance of their fallen comrades.

In Denton, following a well attended service at the war memorial in Victoria Park, ‘food, flags and fun’ were the order of the day at the Legion club on Grosvenor Street.

As party-goers braved cool temperatures and high winds, organisers decided against putting up the bouncy castle, on safety grounds. A sing-a-long and dancing went ahead with the Tony Greenwood Band playing 1945 songs.

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