Children's Street Party


Take a look below to see the children of St. Charles Borromeo’s imaginative and varied interpretations of this photograph!

Photograph of Victory celebrations probably in Florence Road, showing a long table with children sitting at it and adults in the background holding a 'VICTORY' banner.

Description

This photograph is of Victory celebrations, probably in Florence Road, showing a long table with children sitting at it and adults in the background holding a ‘VICTORY’ banner.

An image of Alice's diary

Alice, age 9

Alice has written a diary entry about finding out victory had been won in Europe. She describes what the party pictured above might have been like, and the happiness felt by all who were celebrating the end of the war. She has stuck original photos from VE Day alongside her writing, to show how many people celebrated across Britain.

V.E. DAY DIARY

“Tuesday 8th May

Today, I went into school as normal,  hoping for the best. I sat down on my chair and we began some show and tell. First, it was Mark’s turn. He revealed a very strange object, was it a ball? No! It couldn’t be a-a-a “A bomb Mark?” And that was that, we all evacuated the school.

When I finally got home, I realised that everyone was having some sort of party. Surely that wasn’t allowed, the Germans would almost certainly come and drop a bomb? But before I could wonder any longer, I noticed a sign saying “Victory”.


Then, I realised we had won the war against the Germans so I rushed into the part and enjoyed myself like never before. Just as I began to the eat I heard the crowd chanting, “Ring the bell! Ring the bell!” But nobody knew where the key to the bell tower was so three sailors began to climb the outside of the tower. When they got to the top, they gave a colossal ring of the bell. Everybody cheered loudly. But then, I had to go to bed so I suppose that is enough celebrating for one day.”



Archie, age 9

Archie has written a beautiful poem about how people might have felt on VE Day. In it, he describes the street party in the photo, and compares their happiness at the war being over to the sadness they felt for lost loved ones.

“I Don’t Think…

I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy to hear the war in Europe is over.

I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited to party with my family.

I don’t think I’ve ever been so thrilled to eat cakes and biscuits and sweets.

I don’t think I’ve ever been so energetic to dance and sing with my friends in the streets.


I don’t think I had ever been so sad for so many people dying fighting for my country.

I don’t think I had ever been so upset that my father has been away for so long.

I don’t think I had been so angry that people’s homes have been destroyed by bombs.

I don’t think I had ever been so lonely because I’ve never got to play with any of my friends.

I don’t think I had ever been so disappointed that things will take so long to get back to how they were before the war.”


An image of Eli's drawing

Eli, age 5

Eli has drawn two colourful pictures to mark VE Day. The first is a picture of his abuela and abuelo (grandparents) followed by an invitation to a fun VE Day party like the one in the picture.  The second is a drawing of a rainbow on a sunny day, with a poppy and ‘75’ to mark 75 years since the war in Europe ended and remember those who died. The rainbow links to our modern times, as a drawing seen in many windows to uplift people during the coronavirus lockdown.

“VE Party:
Come to a party with carrot cake and jam
Love Eli xxxx”


An image of Peter's artwork

Peter, age 5

Peter has creatively made some bunting flags to mark the anniversary of VE Day, using red, white and blue colours to create a different design for each flag. Some have the number ‘75’; a Union Jack, spots and stripes; and a handprint on them. He has proudly displayed this in a pattern on the wall alongside a picture of an RAF pilot standing next to a plane, and badges from the RAF during the Second World War.


An image of Arthur's drawing

Arthur, age 10

Arthur has written a caption to the Victory street party photo. He has looked at the expressions and actions of the people in the picture to talk about how they might have been feeling on VE Day and why. Arthur has also drawn and painted a picture, where he has included a Union Jack flag, a remembrance poppy, and ‘VE 75’ in bold lettering to mark 75 years since VE Day.

“In this image I think that everyone is very glad that the war is over. It looks like many children have come together to celebrate. This is a sign of unity and peace.

All the chidren are smiling and having a good time, and the ‘Victory’ banner held by the adults makes it look like everyone is enjoying the moment.

All these signs make it look like it was a great day for Britain and the allies in Europe.”


An image of Harry's artwork

Harry, age 7

In this piece, Harry has used the Victory party photo to draw his own interpretation. There are many people sitting around a table with drinks and food, all looking happy to be celebrating victory in Europe. Behind them, Harry has drawn and coloured in a large Union Jack like the one in the handkerchief (item number 1).


An image of Charlie's poem

Charlie, age 10

Charlie has written a poem about what victory means, and how the people in the photo may have been feeling on V.E Day. Charlie has cleverly used the letters from the word ‘victory’ to start each line of his poem, and has used many different bright colours in the piece.

Victory

Very happy and joyful because they won.

In a safe place with a nice community.

Celebrating with people you care about.

They’re singing and dancing together.

Open to freedom and not afraid to go outside.

Remembering the people who risked their lives for us.

Your heart pumping with love and joy.”


An image of Emma drawing

Emma, age 6

Emma has drawn her own picture of a VE Day street party based on the Victory party photo. In her drawing, many happy children are gathered around a table tucking into a variety of treats, and Emma has used lots of bright colours and drawn flowers on the table.


An image of Sofia's poem

Sofia, age 8

Sofia has written a poem which describes how people celebrated together on VE Day, like they are in the street party photo, while also remembering their loved ones. She has used the letters from the word ‘Victory’ to start each colourful line of her poem.

Victory

Very exciting moment!

I feel sad for all the people who died.

Celebrating with people I love

Together again

Opening my heart up again

Remembering loved ones

You are thankful for all the

soldiers that gave up their lives.”


An image of Aya Maria's drawing

Aya Maria, age 7

In this piece, Aya Maria has drawn her own picture based on the Victory street party, and has written a brilliant rhyming poem to describe what is going on in the photo. In the drawing, the children are holding Union Jack flags under a rainbow ‘Victory’ banner and look very happy.

“The children gathered together to celebrate,

on this special date

the war has ended and

everybody felt splendid.

The kids are having a street party

with all their family and friends.”


An image of Louis' drawing

Louis, age 10

Louis has drawn a picture of a VE Day street party, and written a touching narrative of what VE Day means next to it.  In the picture, many happy people sit around a long table, in front of a house covered in bunting and Union Jack flags. Louis points out that although VE Day is a happy day, it is also a day to remember those who bravely fought and lost their lives in the war.

“On the 8th of May the people cheer to remember those who took part in the war. They gave up their lives to save the United Kingdom from being destroyed. How brave and how strong for those that traveled across the world to save our lives. So today we wave our flags in joy and happiness to celebrate this wonderful day.”


An image of Elsie's artwork

Elsie, age 8

Elsie has made an excellent presentation about the Second World War and VE Day. She has done lots of research and used many different historical photos to show how the war played out, and how people may have had mixed feelings on VE Day. She has presented this history in a style which would fit in well in a museum. In her collage, she has made a remembrance poppy surrounded by many different words all about the end of the war in Europe.


An image of Cara's drawing

Cara, age 10

Cara has written a catchy rhyming poem to mark VE Day and describe what is happening in the Victory street party photo. She looks back at some of the bad parts of the war coming to an end, and celebrates peace.

“Victory victory. The war is WON!

The celebrations have begun.

No more fear. No more Terror!

We live in peace now and

FOREVER!”


An image of Miki's drawing

Miki, age 9

Miki has drawn a copy of the Victory street party image, and has also added a celebratory poem.  In the picture, you can see children sitting at a long table waiting for their food, with adults standing around it holding a large ‘Victory’ banner. The poem conveys the joy felt at peace finally being achieved on the 8th of May.

“Today is the 8th of May,

The victory day,

We gathered at the table to celebrate,

As the white lilac blossoms,

No more poverty no more war,

As the choirs sing in glory,

No tank no bombs,

just peace.”


An image of Charlie's diary

Charlie, age 7

Charlie has written a fantastic diary account of a pigeon winning a medal at the end of the Second World War. He has thought about how owners and trainers of animals might have felt about their contributions, while exploring the little-known topic of animal service in the war and including important information about it.

“William of Orange

3rd of May 1945

I am feeling excited because my pigeon William has been awarded the Dicken medal, the best award an animal could get for bravery. William saved the life of lots of soldiers by delivering a message from the battlefield all the way back home to the United Kingdom. Lots of the other pigeons take the shortest route but the enemy know that and shoot them down. He carried it in a little tube attached to his leg. He flew the special route I taught him so he didn’t get shot down. I am so proud of him.

Bob Coles, Signals Regiment, My great Opa.”


An image of Gabi's diary

Gabi, age 10

Gabi has written a fantastic diary entry, imagining the day one child found out the war ended. In her piece, Gabi refers to many of the things which can be seen in the photograph, such as the ‘Victory’ sign. She creatively pieces together how the day might have played out and how all the children might have felt!

“Dear Diary,
Winston Churchill just announced that today we are going to celebrate that Germany surrendered. I am joining with about 100 adults and 50 children celebrating that Germany is fighting no more! Everyone in our neighbourhood is coming together to have a tea party out in the streets. I am so very excited my best friend’s mum is bringing pork pies! This is going to be the best day ever! We are bringing juice, biscuits and sausage rolls, I am sure everyone is excited to celebrate.
Marty and his sisters from down the road brought a huge sign they made themselves, it spelled out Victory! All us children are sitting down on long benches with a huge feast laid out in front of us. We shared all the food equally between the adults too, everyone was chatting and seemed to be having a brilliant time. When we didn’t think it could get any better, everyone got out of their chairs and started to sing and dance. We all had a great time, and we stayed up late into the night to celebrate too! When it was over we had enough energy to do it all again, it was the best time of my life!”


Image of a party on Rydens Avenue

Petula, age 10

In this piece, Petula has written a beautiful poem about what VE Day means to her. She has used the letters from the words ‘Victory in Europe’ to start each line of the poem, describing how we should remember those who fought. She also talks about how we can celebrate VE Day today during the lockdown.

Take a look at the next page to read Petula’s brilliant poem!

 

 

 

 


VE Day Poem 

VE day is becoming clear,

I finally know why we’re here,

Coming together and having a cheer.

Taking a bow to honour them,

O why are we at home, at least it’s nearly summer.

Right now we’re here all together,

Yay to those that bring us pleasure.


In our homes loving each other,

Now it’s time to let them shine.

 

Emotionally talking about the time,

Unfortunately there was nowhere to hide,

Raise your hands for the heroes,

Oh what’s that over there is the sight of the end of the war?

Please take a minute to think about them,

Eventually seeing hope at the end of the time.”


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