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Jan Tribe was eight and a half years old when she remembers listening to Sir Winston Churchill鈥檚 victory speech on the radio. Jan says she always remembers her mother throwing up her arms in elation saying: 鈥淭he war is over, the war is over, we might get Uncle back!鈥�

Jan lived in Woodside Street, Cinderford in the Forest of Dean where they celebrated VE Day with a street party. The street was decorated with red, white and blue bunting. Trestle tables with paper table cloths were brought out and the men lifted Mrs Hedge鈥檚 piano out where she played songs such as Roll out the Barrel, I鈥檓 Yours and We鈥檒l Meet Again.

It was a close community with all the mothers helping out to provide food for the party. Jan鈥檚 next door neighbour made a milk jelly which consisted of a whisked jelly with evaporated milk; all the children loved it. There were fish paste sandwiches, sardines and home baking with Jan鈥檚 grandparents providing the eggs. Each Saturday morning Jan went and queued up at the bakery to get two loaves of bread and a dozen dainties (rock cakes).

The weather on VE Day in Cinderford was warm, with blue skies. Jan remembers wearing a short sleeve dress. The men drank pints of beer with the women on port and lemon. Mr Rook organised races in the street. Jan being very competitive enjoyed racing, skipping and having a three legged race.

Other streets in the area that also celebrated with a street party included Pembroke Street, Belle Vue Road and Flaxley Street.

Jan remembers the celebrations being a fantastic and exciting time, but she also remembers it was tinged with sorrow. Sadly, Jan鈥檚 uncle who was serving in the RAF was missing when victory in Europe was declared. After the war he was presumed dead.

At school, Jan and all other school children were given a commemorative personal message from King George VI to celebrate victory.

Image: Jan鈥檚 personal message from King George VI

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