Godstone marks VE Day with village celebration

A Surrey village has marked the week of the 80th anniversary of VE Day with a village picnic.

Victory in Europe Day fell on 8 May 1945, when Germany surrendered its military forces to the Allies after six years of war.

On Sunday afternoon residents gathered on Godstone Green to mark the anniversary, which falls on Thursday.

Local group Sing It Out entertained the crowds and there were also displays from the Godstone Dance Academy and the Oxted Band.

The free celebration was planned and funded by Godstone Parish Council.

John Farnaby, part of the organising committee, put together a display of 113 crosses to represent those who lost their lives in the village during World War One and World War Two.

He said: "It really brings into context all those who lost their lives for us."

A total of 51 million Allied soldiers and civilians died during World War Two.

While 8 May marked the end of World War Two in Europe, fighting continued with Japan until August of the same year.

Four days of commemorative events have been planned across the UK, from 5 to 8 May.

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