Streets ahead
A Spitfire flypast, two-minutes silence and a new way of enjoying street parties were just some of the ways the VE Day anniversary was honoured. Friday marked the 75 years since the guns of the Second World War fell silent across Europe after six years of ferocious fighting.
Emergency services including the police, fire and ambulance observed the two minutes silence at 11am, if they could.
In the afternoon a Spitfire flew over parts of Maidstone. The flight path was chosen to honour veterans by heading over their home towns. In Kent, that was D-Day veteran George Batts MBE, who lives in
Barming. He landed on Gold Beach during the Normandy Landings and spent five days clearing landmines before fighting his way across Europe and. He said he was ‘thrilled’ to see the iconic aircraft.
National newspaper The Daily Mail organised the event.
Back on the ground, gardener Lorraine Humm, created an eyecatching display with a replica tank and Spitfire, in Cades Place, Maidstone. It also raised around £100 for the NHS.
Everyone observed social distancing as they hosted events, with many keeping to the boundaries of their homes. In Chamberlain Avenue, Maidstone, a surprise visit from a bagpiper and wheelbarrows filled with goodies were just two highlights of a day raising £763 for the NHS and Royal British Legion.
The day was organised by Brenda Homewood.
Maddison Woodfine, aged five, made a flag to wave to the Spitfire in memory of her great, great grandfather Harold Rowbotham who fought and sadly lost his life in May 1944.
Mr Rowbotham used to fly Spitfires to help cover the British soldiers. Residents at the Royal British Legion Village in Aylesford, Maidstone, ended up with a surprise delivery of a Spitfire cake, created by Sarah Callow who lives near Faversham.
Elsewhere bunting, and Union Jacks were proudly on show in Gresham Road, Coxheath, Greenside in Maidstone and in Southborough, near Tunbridge Wells.
In Lenham, the occasion was marked by piper Alex Burt.