77336-184SIXTY years on, the people of Cricklade remembered VE day with a series of commemorative events this weekend.

On Saturday there was a 20 minute remembrance service for 200 children led by the Rev Jill Thornton of the United Church and attended by members of the Royal British Legion and the Crick-lade band.

Later, in the United Church Hall, war veterans enjoyed a tea party prepared by Cricklade WI members and served by children.

In the evening there was a tattoo on Cricklade High Street with music by the Cricklade Band, Oxford Caledonian Pipes and Drums, Swindon RBL Corps of Drums, and a display by the Majorettes.

The events ended on Sunday with a thanksgiving service at Blakehill Farm formerly a wartime airfield at RAF Blakehill.

David Tetlow, who is chairman of the Cricklade Historical Society, explained why celebrating and remembering VE day is so important.

He said: "Obviously many people lost their lives for the freedom and liberty that we currently enjoy.

"It's very important that we do remember that and the fact that the ending of the war marks a period of peace that we have had for many years since."

He says that Cricklade Museum receives more inquiries from people asking for information on the war than on any other topic.

"We have people asking for information from all over the world.

"I've sent out publications to people from the Nether-lands, the USA and Japan.

"There is an enormous interest in the war and it is a topic that seems to strike a chord with people."

During the war what is now Blakehill Farm was a wartime airfield on the site of RAF Blakehill so Cricklade was at the hub of wartime activities.

David said: "Cricklade was the nearest town serving RAF Blakehill.

"There was a canteen for the armed forces in what is now the Cricklade Museum."

More photographs appear in today's Evening Advertiser

Diana Milne