That the war in Europe would end in victory for the Allies was beyond dispute as the month of May 1945 dawned. Plans for the celebrations and the public holidays that would follow the announcement had been drawn up for some time and the only uncertainty was the timing of the event. However, the date that people thought the most likely was May 7th.

Although Churchill delayed the official announcement by 24 hours, London and much of the country went ahead and started the celebrations anyway.

Many didn’t take part in the celebrations and just went about their daily business but for others it was a day never to be forgotten.

I can remember my own aunt telling me that when the Americans arrived, they used to have dances in the Market Square. She and her friends would go down and watch them jiving and jitterbugging and there was one big party in the Guildhall Square on VE Day.

In 1945, Janie Brewster was a South Wilts schoolgirl living in Castle Street. She remembered going into town with her sister as she knew something was happening. On arrival, she saw two tannoy speakers up on top of the Guildhall playing the music of the big bands – the Yanks were jitterbugging with nurses.

David Lever remembered the street parties all around where trestle tables were put up and every family brought some food.

Tomorrow, Friday, May 8 marks the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and it is unfortunate that the coronavirus has resulted in events across the country being postponed.

At 3pm tomorrow I hope that you, like me, will join in with the Nation's Toast to the Heroes of World War II to remember those brave men and women who fought for their country with the following toast:

‘To those who gave so much, we thank you’.