Celebrating VE Day in our communities

We are pleased to share that we have supported two communities with funding so they could celebrate VE Day in style on Thursday.

Our customers and colleagues came together in Tensing Street Community Centre and Daisy Hill at Veg in the Park for a 40s themed traditional afternoon tea and street party.

Many areas of the town were also adorned with bunting to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe when Nazi Germany was finally defeated.

One resident, Patricia Metcalf, 92, from Bardsley recalled the first VE day celebrations back in 1945 aged 12.

“I remember stepping outside that day—every street transformed, lined end to end with tables stretching as far as the eye could see,” she explained.

“Cheers echoing through the air, laughter mingled with tears, and cries for more jam butties. Even the war memorial in the town centre, standing solemn and guarded, became a place of gathering and celebration for weeks after, as if the whole town needed to keep holding on to that moment of peace.”

Another resident from Tensing Street said the 2025 celebrations were special too.

“Today has been amazing, we’ve really celebrated and had a great time reminiscing – it’s been fantastic,” she added.

His was echoed by resident Toni Steel, who uses the community centre to host chair dancing sessions. said: “Today has been great, it’s been a very lively and positive atmosphere and lovely to see so many familiar faces all dressed up and ready to celebrate the occasion together.”

Project and partnership officer at FCHO Ghazalla Iqbal added: “We’re really pleased to be supporting events like this that bring our customers and local residents together—not just to celebrate, but to build connections, share stories, and create lasting memories within the community.”

We gave both locations £350 to help with the celebrations.