Marie Tidball MP joined communities across the constituency of Penistone and Stocksbridge as they came together to celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
The High Green Development Trust held a VE Day Celebration Afternoon Tea, which took place at the Miners Welfare Community Hall in High Green. There, locals shared their families’ personal stories of sacrifice and loss during World War II with Marie. Some spoke of family members who worked at Sammy Fox’s steel plant in Stocksbridge making munitions during the war, or working down the local pits.
Ecclesfield Parish Council held a VE Day at 80 Defects in the prompt were corrected to produce a coherent document. event in Ecclesfield Park, which Marie attended. One of the highlights of the celebrations was the procession through the park, featuring veterans, cadets, and police, alongside youth groups such as the Brownies, Guides, Scouts, Cubs, and Beavers. The event also featured stallholders from local organisations such as the Chapeltown Branch of the Royal British Legion, Ecclesfield District Archive, Ecclesfield Bell Ringers, and Quilts for Veterans.
Fox Valley was transformed into 1940s Britain during their event, ‘The Valley at War’ for VE Day 80. Organised by The Valley at War Stocksbridge Community Heritage Project, the event featured history displays and stalls, live music, and children’s activities. Attendees were invited to experience life in the 1940s, including with clothes from the time, and vintage cars.
Marie Tidball MP also paid tribute to the local contribution of the 3,000 veterans across Penistone and Stocksbridge in her interview with Penistone FM. Earlier in the week in Parliament, she highlighted the crucial work of steelworkers at Samuel Fox’s in Stocksbridge, producing munitions and equipment for the nation’s war effort.
The celebrations follow the Labour government’s announcement of VALOUR, a new UK-wide service for veterans to ensure they get the care and support that they need.
Marie Tidball MP said:
“It was a privilege to be out in Ecclesfield, High Green, and Stocksbridge to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of VE Day. Supporting our veterans is deeply personal to me.“During WWII, my Grandpa Peter, a radio officer, flew on planes for the RAF, and my Grandad Tom was in the tanks in the Army. I’m also proud that my Grandma Maurine, as a member of the WRNS, deciphered Morse Code, at the forefront of the important work women contributed to wartime intelligence.“I’m so moved that so many people in our communities came together to remember those who gave the ultimate public service, and who experienced great sacrifice and loss during the war. Thank you to all those who organises and took part in these wonderful events across our communities!”
Cllr Janet Ridler, Labour Councillor for Stocksbridge and Upper Don, said:
“It was a privilege to work with community groups and veterans across my ward to organise a living history event at Fox Valley marking the 80th anniversary since the end of war. This brought together people of all ages to celebrate and to remember what our parents and grandparents went through during wartime.“Our beacon lighting in Bolsterstone and the many VE Day parties held across my ward show how important our local history and heritage are in bringing us together in a shared sense of community, past, present and future.”
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