Veterans at a Salford care home marked the 80th anniversary of VE Day in glorious sunshine with a garden party featuring entertainment from a 26-strong concert band and a 1940s-style menu.
Flags and bunting were on display as 150 people, including residents of Broughton House Veteran Care Village, staff, relatives, friends and local dignitaries, tucked into food items such as Woolton Pie, spam fritters, corned beef hash bites, fish paste sandwiches and vinegar cake.
Staff added to the occasion by donning period fancy dress, with the outfits including Land Girls, nurses’ uniforms and tea dresses.
Among the dignitaries attending were Salford’s ceremonial mayor Coun Tanya Burch and her husband Philip, her consort, as well as Mary-Liz Walker, a Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester and chair of the Booths Charities, accompanied by her husband Peter, plus a number of representatives from the military.
The Crumpsall Concert Band played nostalgic tunes, and singer Sarah Dennis, known as the Veterans’ Sweetheart, also entertained the bumper crowd.
Visitors were given a tour of the veteran care village, which has been redeveloped into a complex with a 64-bed care home, including two 16-bed households dedicated to veterans with dementia, as well as independent living apartments, an array of modern facilities, a museum, gym, hairdressing and barber’s salon, and a restaurant and bar for residents.
On VE Day itself on Thursday, May 8, Broughton House held a coffee morning at which pupils from nearby St Philip’s RC Primary School joined residents for a singalong. Representatives from the Sale Sharks Foundation also went along to meet and chat with residents.
The attendees observed the two minutes’ silence at noon and enjoyed sampling 1940s food, including the popular vinegar cake and spam fritters, and Anzac biscuits.
Owen Hammond, the curator of the Broughton House museum, gave a talk about VE Day to the children.
Karen Miller, chief executive of Broughton House, said: “Because of their ages, our veterans were unable to travel long distances to take part in national services of commermoration of VE Day, even though they were invited to do so.
“Instead, we tried to capture the spirit and sense of gratitude and celebration here at Broughton House, and to recognise the service of our veterans. Many of our residents live with dementia, and it meant they could be part of something special in a familiar environment with family, friends and staff,
“We are extremely grateful to everyone who took the time to be with us over the two days and to add to the atmosphere and spirit of the occasion.”
Karen added: “The garden party took place on a gorgeous sunny day and the the drinks and food were very well received, as was the entertainment. Our residents have even asked for spam fritters to be on the menu regularly!”
D-Day veteran and Broughton House veteran Peter Belcher, 101, who served in 17 countries between 1937 and 1949 and has six military medals, said of the garden party: “It was a brilliant and very enjoyable event. The food was amazing, the music was fabulous and the atmosphere was wonderful.”