SUNSHINE and community spirit abounded as hundreds of Minehead residents and visitors gathered in the town’s Blenheim Gardens on Saturday, May 3, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.

The celebration marked a significant milestone, being the first community event held in the gardens since Minehead Town Council took ownership of it just days earlier.

The event transformed the gardens into a vibrant tribute to the 1940s era, featuring captivating performances by vocalist Chrystal Bliss and the renowned Minehead Male Voice Choir.

Visitors were treated to an impressive display of vintage vehicles, family-friendly games, and an informative exhibition on wartime life in Minehead, curated by Minehead Museum.

Many attendees embraced the historical theme, arriving in period attire and bringing 1940s-inspired picnics to enjoy on the lawns.

Period outfits helped to maintain a 1940s theme to a Blenheim Gardens, Minehead, VE Day 80th anniversary picnic. PHOTO: MTC.
Period outfits helped to maintain a 1940s theme to a Blenheim Gardens, Minehead, VE Day 80th anniversary picnic. PHOTO: MTC. ( )

The Minehead Armed Forces Veterans Breakfast Club provided both a tombola and an opportunity for community members to connect with local veterans.

The town’s mayor Cllr Craig Palmer, said: “Today’s celebration honours both our past and our future.

“As we commemorate the sacrifice and resilience shown 80 years ago, we are also celebrating our community coming together in these beautiful gardens that are now under local stewardship.”

The substantial turnout demonstrated the community’s appreciation for the opportunity to gather and commemorate such a historically significant occasion.

Minehead Male Voice Choir performing in Blenheim Gardens for a VE Day 80th anniversary picnic. PHOTO: MTC.
Minehead Male Voice Choir performing in Blenheim Gardens for a VE Day 80th anniversary picnic. PHOTO: MTC. ( )

Town councillors thanked all the performers, exhibitors, and volunteers who contributed to making the day so memorable.

Grabbist Hill Minister the Rev Kenneth Cross, who administers a benefice including Alcombe, Dunster, Wootton Courtenay, and Timberscombe, this week warned people should think carefully about why they were celebrating the VE Day anniversary.

Mr Cross said: “VE Day, 80 years on, finds us at a crossroads.

“If we are commemorating those who fought for and died for freedom, if we are celebrating liberty, basic human rights for all, the end of tyranny, the overturning of regimes which repress democracy, create toxic nationalism and scapegoat minorities, and if we are celebrating the restoration of justice, then good.

“Let us do so with both sobriety and humility, knowing that no matter how hard we try, few of us have got any idea what it was like to live in those times, and that the perfect storms that led to millions buying into delusion could happen to us.

War-time vintage vehicles on display in Minehead's Blenheim Gardens at the weekend. PHOTO: MTC.
War-time vintage vehicles on display in Minehead's Blenheim Gardens at the weekend. PHOTO: MTC. ( )

“But, if we see this day as an opportunity to wave our flags, sing God Save the King, and hooray for our country, while at the very same time cheering on those who scapegoat immigrants, gee-up inflated national pride, and disparage minorities, then we have learned nothing.

“If we truly comprehend the forces of wickedness that were at work then, we will also discern them alive and well in our own time.

“If we truly see them for what they are, we will refuse them, we will refuse to scapegoat the easy targets of our own times, Jews, Muslims, people of differing background and privilege to us, people fleeing tyranny and poverty, refugees, people on boats, people of differing sexuality, gender, or philosophy.”