8th May 1945 marked the official end of the war in Europe — a moment of jubilation and relief after six long years of hardship, fear, and sacrifice. In communities across Britain, neighbours came together to celebrate peace and look ahead to brighter days. In Mansfield Woodhouse, the spirit of VE Day was marked with heartfelt community gatherings, bunting, games, and food — all pulled together with the limited resources available at the time.
Community Spirit and Street Parties
Across Mansfield Woodhouse, celebrations took place throughout May and June 1945. Families lined the streets with patriotic bunting and flags, children and adults alike joined in games and races, and the whole community came together to mark the end of conflict in Europe.
Although rationing was still in place, locals made the best of what they had. Sandwiches, cakes, and home-baked buns filled makeshift tables, while neighbours pooled ingredients to create a memorable feast. Children were at the heart of the celebrations — receiving small gifts of money, enjoying games with prizes, and tasting foods they had never tried before.
The Lord’s Ground – A Centrepiece of Celebration
One of the main events was held at the Lord’s Ground, where one hundred children and their parents enjoyed a hearty Victory tea. Organised by local figures including Mr. T. Smalley, Mr. W. Place, and Mr. T. Blagg, the event offered not just food, but entertainment too — including a 100-yard flat race.
Each child received an orange and an ice cream from Mr. Blagg — a rare treat at the time, with fruit having been scarce during the war. Mrs. L. Fairbrother generously gave each child a shilling, contributing to the festive atmosphere. Later in the evening, sports and games were introduced, and the community came alive with joy and togetherness.
Middleton Road and Shakespeare Avenue
In Middleton Road, around a hundred residents gathered on Whit Monday to celebrate. Hosted on land kindly lent by Mr. W. Place, who also donated food, the event was especially poignant. The guest of honour, Private J. Marshall, had just returned from nearly five years in captivity at a prison camp.
Children received 6d each, ran races, and were later treated to ginger pop and biscuits — simple pleasures that meant the world after years of austerity.
Meanwhile, in Shakespeare Avenue, 150 children and adults enjoyed a tea laid on by local residents. The children received 1s 6d, toffee apples, chocolate, ice cream, and biscuits. Fancy dress competitions, piano recitals, and dancing that lasted until midnight made it a memorable event. Decorations filled the avenue, including flags, bunting, and a dramatic V-sign lit up for the occasion.
Food of the Time
Despite rationing, local newspapers at the time listed an impressive range of treats that made it to VE Day tables:
Biscuits, sometimes made with honey instead of sugar
Chocolate, rationed but treasured
Sandwiches, often with jam or dripping
Cakes and buns
Oranges and bananas, rare and exotic after years of scarcity
Ice cream and sweets like flying saucers and mint humbugs
Toffee apples
Drinks, such as ginger pop
These simple foods, many of which had been unavailable or scarce during the war, took on special meaning during the celebrations. For some children, it was their first time tasting an orange or banana — a powerful reminder of how life had been transformed by wartime restrictions.
Preserving the Memory
Sadly, very few photographs of Mansfield Woodhouse’s VE Day celebrations survive today. Despite appeals, only one image is held in the Heritage Link archives. However, these written records and memories passed down through families help us piece together a picture of a community united in joy, gratitude, and hope for the future.
A Legacy of Resilience and Joy
The VE Day celebrations in Mansfield Woodhouse were a testament to the resilience of its people. With limited resources, they created moments of joy and hope, particularly for the children who had known only war. The legacy of those celebrations lives on as a reminder of the importance of community, gratitude, and finding joy even in the hardest of times.
