Durham County Record Office: the official archive service for County Durham and Darlington

Haswell Victory Celebrations, 1945

Part of an online exhibition from Durham County Record Office commemorating the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe on 8 May 1945

Soldiers from B Company, 9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry in Kangaroo armoured carrier, Germany, late March 1945 (D/DLI Acc: 10050)

After the impromptu bonfires and street parties celebrating VE Day, some towns and villages in County Durham wanted to do more.

In Haswell, a public meeting, chaired by Councillor Jack Dormand (later MP for Easington) met on 11 June 1945 to discuss arrangements for a series of summer celebrations.

Poster from minute book, Haswell Parish Council VE Celebrations Committee, 11 June – 8 October 1945 (CP/Has 118)

Programme, Haswell County Secondary Modern School’s Victory Field Day, 23 July 1945 (CP/Has 119)

Financed with grants totalling £78 from Easington Rural District Council and Haswell Parish Council, the 'VE Celebrations Committee' bought prizes for Haswell County School's 'Victory Field Day'; provided special teas with cakes for children and 'Aged Persons'; and organised a dance for 'Young Persons' with the 'Albany Dance Band'.

Poster from minute book, Haswell Parish Council, VE Celebrations Committee, 11 June - 8 October 1945 (CP/Has 118).

Programme, Haswell County Secondary Modern School's Victory Field Day, 23 July 1945 (CP/Has 119).

Another 'VE' committee, with £113 in grants to spend, organised similar events in South Hetton. There the local Co-op provided £34 of cakes and refreshments for the special teas. The 'Fencehouses Syncopators Band' provided the music and 150 'Aged Persons' were each given two shillings (20p).

Back to 'We have come through' - remembering VE Day 1945 exhibition homepage.