ABERGAVENNY was taken back in time as thousands of people flocked to Sunday's Home Front Recall which commemorated the 60th Anniversary of VE Day and the events leading to the end of the Second World War. The streets were packed with people some of whom dressed in wartime attire to watch the parade from Bailey Park to Cross Street. The parade featured a Sherman Tank and included veterans and representatives of various voluntary organisations such as the Bevin Boys, Land Army complete with tractors, Civil Defence, Home Guard, WRVS, Fire fighters, First Aid, Armed Forces, TA and local children from the scouts and guides. Rev'd Canon Jeremy Winston then conducted a commemorative service outside the Town Hall in Cross Street before a street party, displays and games were held. In the Market Hall a wartime exhibition with display tables, booths and entertainment was held featuring a whole host of World War Two artefacts, photographs and memorabilia. In the evening the hall was transformed to host an evening of entertainment including a war time sing along and dancing. Organised by Abergavenny Town Council via their events committee, assisted by the Monmouthshire County Council's Area Service Team, the colourful event was hailed as a great success by organiser Councillor John Prosser. "I was pleased that the whole community came together to make the celebration and commemoration for all those who gave their lives for our future a great success. "The children who took part asked lots of questions about the war which was one of the main reasons behind the event. I would like to say a big thank you to everybody who played their part in making it a very enjoyable day." Villagers at Llandewi Rhydderch also celebrated a day of events on Saturday to celebrate the effort on the home front. The village hall hosted an exhibition of local home front memorabilia, interactive talks about the home front from guest speakers, a prayer of thanksgiving by Rev'd Mike Saddler, a buffet supper and community singing. Another feature of the day was the competitions the results of which are included below: Cookery Competition to cook one of a selection of recipes from the World War Two era as faithfully as possible: Teresa Lewis and Marjorie Morgan (Over 16's) and Oliver Generalovic (Under 15's). Poetry competition - poems about any aspect of life on the home front: Daniel Kerman of Llanover (Under 10's) and Mikey Jordan aged 11 of Raglan (11 to 16's). Painting Competition - depicting home front life: Stacey Griffiths of Our Lady's and St MIchael's Roman Catholic School (under 10's) and Jonathan Sadler of Llandewi Rhydderch (11 to 16's). Some of the competition entries are to be featured in a forthcoming display at Abergavenny Library. Organiser Paul Nicholls said the day was a great success thanks to funding from the National Lottery, the Bryn y Cwm Area Committee and the work put in by the volunteers as well as those who attended. The whole event was professionally recorded onto video which will be donated to the National Sound and Screen Archive in Aberystwyth and Abergavenny Museum.
