Rattlesden History Group hails VE80 day celebratory event
Rattlesden celebrated VE80 Day in style last week with a very successful community tea party organised by the Rattlesden History Group and hosted in the stunning setting of St Nicholas Church.
To the background music of wartime favourites, over 120 teas were served, with a varied range of cakes and savouries all gratefully donated by members of the village.
WW2 exhibitions, stories and photographs detailing local village life and connections at that time were on display including Rattlesden’ s “friendly invasion” of the USAF 447 Bomber group stationed at the airbase from 1943.
Guest of honour, 98-year-old Jill Gladwell MBE, joined the community gathering in an enjoyable afternoon of commemoration, reminiscence and celebration. Jill’s MBE was awarded in 2022 and received last year for her work with the Royal British Legion, as a poppy collector over 80 years.
It was fitting therefore that event raised £404 in just 2 hours for the Royal British Legion.
Angela Griggs, from the History Group commented
“It was really wonderful to see so many people attending and contributing to our VE80 Day celebration. The generosity of cake makers and team spirit of volunteers on the day helped to create a lovely event and demonstrate a great community spirit.”
