Irthlingborough remembers on 80th anniversary of VE Day
Many faces of those who remember the end of World War Two have now gone, but communities across the UK - including in Northamptonshire - have been marking the 80th anniversary since guns fell silent in Europe.In Irthlingborough, the stillness of the early morning was broken by the plaintive sound of bagpipes on Parsons Green.The strident tones of town crier John Farrar were then heard, delivering a VE Day 80 proclamation.He was pleased that "quite a lot of people have turned up - it shows that people are still remembering and are still interested and it means something to them".
Among those watching the commemorations were two people who remembered how Irthlingborough marked the end of hostilities.Robert and Pamela Ward were aged eight and seven on 8 May 1945.
Mrs Ward had found the war to be a frightening experience. She said: "We lived down Nicholas Road and there were all fields at the back. One day, they must have been doing an exercise and I thought the Germans had come."I was absolutely terrified. I remember my Mum drawing all the curtains so I needn't look."
When the coming of the Germans was no longer a threat and peace came, streets across Irthlingborough were filled with happy faces.Mr Ward remembered "the older people putting trestles on the old green in Abington Road and they had newspaper cloths on the tables."They all brought out jelly, fish paste sandwiches and we had a big party. As kids, we really loved it."
The unbridled joy of 1945 has given way to more reflective commemorations in 2025, but later on Thursday Irthlingborough residents are being treated to a fish and chip supper while listening to a singer and a band.Lanterns of peace are also due to be lit and the Last Post will be sounded from the church tower, as a reminder of the sacrifices of the war and of people across the world still striving for peace.The mayor, Tracey Walton, said: "People have been saying that this one [anniversary] is probably going to be the most significant event for VE Day because we are losing our veterans now, so to be able to pass that on to our youngsters and make sure they carry that forward is really so important. It's part of who we are."
Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Nepo baby, 20, is spitting image of A-list mother as she stuns at the How To Train Your Dragon screening - but can YOU guess who her famous parent is?
A nepo baby looked the spitting image of her A-list mother as she attended the How To Train Your Dragon Immersive Experience screening at Frameless in London on Tuesday. The British actress, 20, looked every inch the budding star as she graced the red carpet in a stunning semi-sheer cream gown embroidered with delicate florals. Her chic floor-length ensemble featured a high neckline, long flared sleeves, and a dusky pink drape detail cinched at the waist. She added inches to her frame with pointed nude court heels and styled her brunette locks in voluminous waves, posing up a storm for the cameras. But can you guess who the nepo baby and her mother are? From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's new showbiz newslette r to stay in the loop. That's right! it's Nico Parker, the daughter of actress Thandiwe Newton and screenwriter Ol Parker. In addition to Nico, the showbiz couple also share a 24-year-old daughter, Ripley, and nine-year-old son, Booker. Nico shot to fame at just 14 with her Hollywood debut in Tim Burton's 2019 live-action remake of Dumbo. Since then, she has delivered a series of standout performances, from HBO's The Third Day to the hit series The Last Of Us. In 2025, she took on her biggest roles yet, starring as Astrid in the live-action remake of How To Train Your Dragon, and as Chloe, Bridget Jones's highly organised nanny, in Mad About the Boy, the long-awaited fourth instalment in the franchise. Mad About the Boy, which was released earlier this year, marked a fresh chapter for the beloved rom-com series, with Nico's character bringing new heart and humour to Bridget's chaotic life. Her portrayal of Astrid in How To Train The Dragon was equally well-received. The new movie, directed by Dean DeBlois, reimagines the 2010 animated classic with a fresh cast and breathtaking visuals. Alongside Mason Thames as Hiccup and Gerard Butler reprising his role as Stoick, Nico helped bring the emotional and action-packed story to life. A film synopsis reads: 'Set on the rugged isle of Berk, where Vikings and dragons have been bitter enemies for generations, the story follows Hiccup (Mason Thames), the inventive yet overlooked son of Chief Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler). 'Hiccup defies centuries of tradition when he befriends Toothless, a feared Night Fury dragon. 'Their unlikely bond reveals the true nature of dragons, challenging the very foundations of Viking society. 'With the fierce and ambitious Astrid (Nico) and the village's quirky blacksmith Gobber (Nick Frost) by his side, Hiccup confronts a world torn by fear and misunderstanding. 'As an ancient threat emerges, endangering both Vikings and dragons, Hiccup's friendship with Toothless becomes the key to forging a new future. 'Together, they must navigate the delicate path toward peace, soaring beyond the boundaries of their worlds and redefining what it means to be a hero and a leader.' The movie is scheduled for release on June 13, 2025, and will be available in various formats, including RealD 3D, IMAX, 4DX, ScreenX, and D-Box. Reflecting on raising daughters in the spotlight, Thandiwe told Hollywood Life in a 2010 interview: 'I want my girls to feel empowered. That's the most important thing.' She mused about parenthood: 'It's amazing how you start again and you re-live your childhood. The universe has given me girls because I needed to live that girlhood again in a fresh way.
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Police told of racist attack weeks before Bhim Kohli killed
An elderly man who was racially abused before being fatally attacked had told police he witnessed an assault on another Asian man yards from his home two weeks earlier, the BBC has Kohli had been walking his dog in a park in Leicestershire in September when he was punched and kicked by a 14-year-old boy while a girl, 12, filmed the BBC has learnt that Mr Kohli spoke to officers in August after he saw two white boys aged 12 and 13 racially abuse a man and throw a large rock at him near the same park where the 80-year-old encountered his own attackers. Leicestershire Police said "organisational learning" to improve logging anti-social behaviour had been identified. Mr Kohli died the day after the "intense attack" against him in Franklin Park, Braunstone Town near Leicester, for which the boy and girl, now aged 15 and 13 respectively, were both convicted of manslaughter. They are due to be sentenced on eyewitness to the attack in August, Linda Haigh, said she warned police about racially motivated problems in the area before Mr Kohli died, and believes he would still be alive had they taken her more seriously. The victim, who wishes to remain anonymous, was walking to Franklin Park on 17 August when he was targeted by the two boys, who were not involved in Mr Kohli's told the BBC: "One of the boys started picking up stones and throwing them at me... and then the same boy picked up a quite a large rock from the front garden of one of the houses there, and tried to throw it at me."The man, aged in his 40s, said they shouted at him to "go back to your village"."It was a throwback to back to the 80s, when it was quite commonplace to be racially abused," he said. "I was shocked that this kind of behaviour was still around society."I've not been in that situation for a long time, maybe 40 years." It was when one of the boys picked up a wooden fence post and tried to hit the man with it that others - including Mr Kohli and his daughter Susan, and their neighbour Ms Haigh - intervened, according to the said he was shocked by the "kind of behaviour from such a young age group"."The racist language, the violence used as well... they were trying to physically hurt me," he added."The anger, but more just the vitriol of the whole thing."Police were called but the pair were not arrested until three days after the death of Mr Kohli, according to the believes a greater police presence in the area following the assault could have prevented the attack on Mr Kohli two weeks later."They should have really looked at putting more presence there, more officers, maybe mobile police cars driving around," he said."They could have deterred them. It's obviously very tragic." During the trial of Mr Kohli's killers, the court was told about an occasion "a week or two" before his death when the girl convicted of his manslaughter was present while other children threw apples at jury was also shown a video she had filmed on her phone of another Asian man having a water balloon thrown at him and being racially BBC has also been told it was reported to police that in July Mr Kohli had stones thrown at him, was spat at and had been racially abused by a group of children after he told them to get off his neighbour's garage Supt Jonathan Starbuck, of Leicestershire Police, said: "Prior to Mr Kohli's death, police were aware of two reports of anti-social behaviour involving youths in the Franklin Park area which were being investigated. "Partnership work in the area following Mr Kohli's death did identify further incidents which had not been reported."He added an investigation conducted by the force, reviewed by the Independent Office for Police Conduct, did not identify any "misconduct or missed opportunities which could have prevented Mr Kohli's death". The attacks have left the victim of the August assault fearful for his safety and that of his elderly parents, who also live in the area. His father, like Mr Kohli, likes to go for a walk, but since being targeted, he tells him not to, especially in the dark, he told the BBC."Even my nephews... you worry about them as well because you just don't know. It's just become more violent," he two boys involved in the August assault appeared in youth court in Leicester in December charged with racially or religiously aggravated common admitted the offences but were later dealt with out of court by way of a deferred youth caution following a referral to the youth justice panel for an out-of-court process aims to divert young people away from the criminal justice system where possible, the Crown Prosecution Service said. Ms Haigh, who was friends with Mr Kohli for more than 20 years, told the BBC she called police when she saw the two boys involved in the August assault pick up the boulder from outside her neighbour's house and throw it at the said she was aware of similar attacks by young people happening last summer in Braunstone Town and told police it needed to be "nipped in the bud"."I don't think it was taken serious enough," she said."I think they should have acted on it. I feel that we've been totally let down."Ch Supt Starbuck said: "We continue to monitor the area of Franklin Park and have engaged with the community through a local survey, drop-in centres, engagement with local schools, youth work and proactive policing patrols."
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Kate Moss risks run in with Fat Tony after supermodel 'snubbed' the DJ's star-studded wedding as they both attend Sam McKnight's 70th birthday
Kate Moss and DJ Fat Tony risked an awkward run in on Tuesday evening as they both attended Sam McKnight's 70th birthday. The supermodel, 51, reportedly chose to skip her best pal Fat Tony's star-studded wedding on Saturday, after learning her former friend Fran Cutler was on the guestlist. And Tuesday night marked the first event the pair had attended since the DJ's big day when he tied the knot with husband Stavros Agapiou. Celebrating Sam's birthday at La Mome, The Berkeley in London, Kate posed with the stylist for snaps as she opted for a black sequin party dress. Meanwhile Fat Tony, 58, was seen commanding the DJ decks as he kept it stylish in a navy jacket and matching trousers. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. He was joined by Stavros, 32, who opted for a quirky ensemble, pairing denim shorts with a checked shirt, striped tie and grey blazer jacket. The couple tied the knot in front of family and friends in a lavish ceremony at the Welsh Chapel on Saturday, followed by a fun-filled reception bash at the Londoner Hotel. Also attending the Sam's birthday celebrations was Patsy Palmer, Jaime Winstone and Davina McCall who were also all guests at Fat Tony's wedding. Patsy, 53, looked effortlessly chic as she opted for a satin light green suit jacket with matching shirt and trousers. Meanwhile Davina, 57, looked sensational in a black leather mini dress as she made sure to put on a very leggy display in her outfit. It comes after a huge array of famous faces were in attendance for the couple's special day including TOWIE 's Gemma Collins, Coronation Street 's Claire Sweeney, Patsy Kensit, and Boy George. However, missing from the action was Tony's pal of over three decades, Kate who was thought to be set to be a bridesmaid at the ceremony. According to reports, the supermodel snubbed the nuptials after discovering former Primrose Hill bestie, Fran, 62, was going to attend. Davina, 57, looked sensational in a black leather mini dress as she made sure to put on a very leggy display in her outfit (pictured with Azzi Glasser and Yasmin Mills) Fat Tony - whose real name is Tony Marnach - has been best pals with Kate since 1993, previously lauding her as 'incredible'. Speaking to MailOnline in 2022, the DJ praised the stunner for turning her life around from her notorious party girl youth, saying: 'It's about finding that inner happiness, and she's found it. What Kate's done with that is brilliant. 'Even the fact that she's bringing out a wellness range just show's you where she's at in life and how well she's done.' The hitmaker then sweetly gushed: 'She'll always be one of my best friends, she's an incredible person'. Ahead of his nuptials, it had been reported that Kate would be one of Tony's bridesmaids alongside reality star Gemma, 44, and soap star Claire, 54, while Tony previously revealed that he wanted Boy George as his best man. MailOnline have contacted representatives for both Fat Tony and Kate for comment.
