Llanelli Star

Special VE Day exhibition

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A SPECIAL VE Day exhibition is being held in Kidwelly – all sparked by a nine-year-old boy studying the Second World War at school.

When Thomas Gallagher told his grandfathe­r Wayne John about his school project, it sparked an idea which has snowballed over recent weeks.

Mr John, who is an avid collector of Second World War memorabili­a is organising the big day on Friday, May 6, after being inspired by Thomas, who goes to the town’s Ysgol y Castell primary.

Photos and artefacts from the historic day which marked the end of the Second World War will be on display at Kidwelly’s Princes Gwenllian Centre.

A swing band will also perform throughout the day and refreshmen­ts will be served.

Mr John, who works as a postman and has collected the war memorabili­a for more than two decades, said: “My grandson Thomas was doing the Second World War at school and so I thought it would be a great opportunit­y for him and other children and the community to see some of my collection as well as other memorabili­a people might have had from the war and VE Day.”

He added: “I put an appeal out on

Facebook for anyone else who had Second World War collection­s and it snowballed.

“The response has been amazing with so many people getting involved, not just locally but from Swansea and beyond.

“We are inviting several local schools on the day too and encouragin­g children to dress up.”

The event is boasting a wide range of war related costumes, vehicles from the time and even a local Winston Churchill impersonat­or.

Mr John said: “We have Carmarthen Model Club coming along and a model tank and vehicles from the 1940s for people to look at.

“We have costumes from the period and are looking for people to wear them on the day and so anyone who can help can get in touch with me as it will be greatly appreciate­d if they can volunteer.”

“VE Day itself is on May 8 but we are already looking to hold another event next year and that would probably be on a weekend.”

The exhibition runs from 10am to 6pm.

Anyone wishing to help out and wear a costume on the day can contact Mr John on 07498 326 006.

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