TODAY marks 70 years since Prime Minister Winston Churchill announced to the British people Nazi Germany had surrendered after six years of war.

HARWICH broke into spontaneous celebrations when the news there was victory in Europe was revealed.

Streets were decked with flags, tea parties were held and people took to the town’s churches to give thanks.

All week people danced in the streets, took part in parades and celebrated in the town’s pubs which ran out of beer.

At the time the Standard reported: “Throughout Monday the historic announcement was awaited hour by hour in this town which had seen so much of many wars.

“By Monday evening flags were beginning to appear, at first self-consciously, but with the radio announcement that VE Day would be Tuesday, there was a stir throughout the town, small boys miraculously appeared with tin-can bands, others raced around the streets with flags on their bicycles and others promptly lit bonfires.”

By Tuesday celebrations had begun in earnest with the official announcement of victory.

One of the first street parties was held in Victoria Street in Dovercourt where that afternoon 60 children sat down to a “peace tea”.

The following day saw residents in Birch Avenue, Dovercourt, create an effigy of a “very dejected” Hitler which was stowed away in a corner until the evening when it was burned at the stake.

Bathside saw one of the biggest parties with 250 youngsters parading in fancy dress before having cakes and tea.

VE Day Events

TODAY Lime Court Care Home in Dovercourt celebrates VE day with an afternoon of entertainment.

Residents will enjoy live music and dancing to remember the end of the war.

Tomorrow  the Harwich branch of the Royal British Legion will be hosting an event to mark VE Day at the Park Pavilion.

From 2pm to 5pm there will be VE Day and Second World War videos on display, afternoon tea and banjo music.

On Sunday a parade will take place in Manningtree to mark the 70th anniversary.

The Manningtree and District Branch of the Royal British Legion will parade to the Manningtree War Memorial in High Street.

 For more information or to take part in the parade contact Jamie Robinson Branch Chairman/Parade Marshal on 01206 970382.