Llanidloes shopkeeper celebrates VE Day with special picnic
A Llanidloes shopkeeper has celebrated the 80th anniversary of VE Day with a community picnic.
Trudy Davies, owner of Woosnam and Davies News, organised the event with the help of her £5,000 prize from National Lottery operator, Allwyn's, Local Retail Champions awards.
The picnic, held on May 5 at the Millennium Community Garden, was co-organised with Joy Smout of the Royal British Legion.
It welcomed members of the Royal British Legion Women's Section, veterans, and the Llanidloes community, and featured bunting, music, and decorations.
Ms Davies also commissioned VE Day 80th Anniversary pin brooches using the Allwyn prize money, which are being sold to raise money for local veterans and Royal British Legion Industries' Tommy's Club.
Even before the VE Day activities, Ms Davies had been busy putting her prize money to good use for the local community by funding a new wooden friendship bench in the town.
Situated between her shop and the Crown and Anchor pub, the bench is intended to bring people from the area together and commemorate the legacy of former publican Ruby Holmes.
Ms Davies said: "I have been the secretary of the community garden for 26 years now and it's lovely that it's being used for such a great event in the town.
"The prize money from Allwyn has been such a big help in putting on this event for the community and making our VE Day 80th Anniversary celebrations extra special, as they should be.
"We're supporting great causes along the way and there's been a wonderful atmosphere in our small town because of it."
Ms Davies was one of 16 regional winners in Allwyn's 2024 Local Retail Champions awards, which recognised National Lottery retailers who go above and beyond for their communities.
Woosnam and Davies News was nominated by its customers for a range of community-focused initiatives, including collecting unwanted items for donation to charities, organising a group of 30 people from the area to knit blankets and hats for the homeless and newborn babies, and supporting producers from the area by selling honey and eggs in the shop.
Allwyn's director of commercial partnerships and retail sales, Alison Acquaye-Acford, said: "We're delighted to see that Trudy is continuing her excellent work in the community by spending her Local Retail Champions prize money on community initiatives.
"We know she really prioritises her community and this is clear to see from all her work.
"And not only does she support her community in her own generous and kind-hearted ways, but simply by selling National Lottery tickets, she's helping to raise around £30 million every week for Good Causes which goes to projects in Trudy's community and communities across the UK."
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