Marking VE Day 80 with Blind Veterans UK in Elmswell
Last weekend I had the absolute pleasure of performing my final VE Day 80 event, singing for the wonderful community supported by Blind Veterans UK. The event took place at The Blackbourne Community Centre in Elmswell, Suffolk, and brought together veterans and volunteers for a relaxed afternoon tea full of conversation, music and memories.
About Blind Veterans UK
Blind Veterans UK is a national charity that supports ex-Service personnel who have lost their sight, whether during their time in service or later in life. Their work provides rehabilitation, training, emotional support and a sense of community to help veterans regain independence and confidence after sight loss. It was a privilege to be part of one of their events, which focus on companionship, shared experiences and ongoing support.
An Afternoon with Remarkable Guests
Among the guests were two incredibly inspiring veterans: Robbie Hall and Jim Grant.
Robbie Hall, now 102 years old, is a female World War II veteran who joined the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force after lying about her age at just 17. During the war, she worked in the accounts section of RAF Bomber Command, helping to keep vital Air Ministry documents and regulations up to date. At the time of the D-Day landings, Robbie was stationed with Fighter Command. Her boss during part of her service was none other than Sir Arthur “Bomber” Harris, one of the most notable figures in RAF history.
Jim Grant, who recently celebrated his 100th birthday, served in the Royal Navy and was part of the Arctic and Atlantic Convoys during World War II. His wartime service included the notable role of escorting Winston Churchill across the Atlantic – a truly unique experience that not many can lay claim to. Jim’s stories were not only fascinating but a reminder of just how vital the contributions of these men and women were.
Many of the veterans at the event had only recently returned from a visit to Buckingham Palace, part of the national VE Day 80 commemorations, and were still full of pride and excitement from the occasion. It was a real joy to perform for such a warm and welcoming group, and to mark this important anniversary in such meaningful company.
Planning a Vintage-Themed Event?
If you’re organising an event and looking to include live entertainment with a vintage twist – whether it’s 1940s wartime classics, a singalong or swing set – I’d love to be involved. I regularly perform across the UK and offer bespoke performances for care homes, community groups, heritage events and private parties.
To find out more or make a booking, you can contact me via:
Website: www.jaynedarling.co.uk
Email: jayne@jaynedarling.co.uk
Phone: 07795 342639
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Top Tips for a Brilliant VE Day 80 Event
With 1940s Vintage Singer Jayne Darling
Here are some ideas to help your event run smoothly and bring that authentic wartime spirit to life – whether it’s a community gathering, care home celebration, or something more formal.
🎶 1. Set the Scene with Decor
You don’t have to go overboard – just a few touches go a long way:
- Union Jack bunting, flags or red/white/blue tablecloths
- Posters from the era (“Keep Calm”, “Dig for Victory”, etc.)
- Table centrepieces with ration cards, tea tins, or wartime props
- Baskets of fake veg, vintage crockery, or a string of warm lights for a street party atmosphere
- Waving flags for the tables – small flags are fairly inexpensive and can be purchased off Ebay for around 10 – 15 pence each depending on quantity
- Cargo netting and sand bags – cargo netting can be purchased from Army and Navy stores as can empty sand bags. Sandbags can be filled with scrunched up newspaper or old duvets and pillows
☕ 2. Keep Refreshments Traditional
- Serve up afternoon tea – sandwiches, sausage rolls, Victoria sponge, scones
- Have a cake baking or cake decoration competition!
- Or keep it simple with tea in teapots, enamel mugs, and a biscuit tin
- Some venues do a wartime-style ration bag with a cheese sandwich, an apple and a bit of cake – fun and easy!
- Maybe try some wartime specialities – think spam or bread and dripping!
🎩 3. Encourage Guests to Dress the Part
It really helps bring people together and sets the mood. Suggest:
- Victory rolls, curls, red lipstick, headscarves for the ladies
- Flat caps, braces, or military-style jackets for the gents
- Doesn’t have to be full fancy dress – just a nod to the era works well
- Tea dresses for the ladies – ladies in the 40s also wore hats and gloves. Seamed stockings were a luxury and scarce!
- Make your own gas mask box, a small box covered in brown paper and some string should do the trick!
Simple Tips for a Lovely Vintage Look
You don’t need a full costume to join in the fun – just a few touches can help you get that classic 1940s style!
💄 Hair & Make-up
- Victory rolls – iconic 1940s hairstyle! There are loads of tutorials online if you fancy giving it a go
- Headscarf or turban – tied around your hair Rosie-the-Riveter style – ideal if you don’t want to faff with curls
- Red lipstick & winged eyeliner – the quickest way to vintage-up any outfit
- Keep make-up simple, polished, and classic
- Want those 1940s style curls? Damp hair, setting lotion or mousse and sleep in some foam rollers or pin curls.
👚 Clothing
You don’t need to buy anything new – have a look at what’s already in your wardrobe!
Look out for:
- Tea dresses or shirt dresses – floral, polka dot, or block colours all work well
- High-waisted skirts with a tucked-in blouse
- Knitted cardigans or short jackets
- Trousers, dungarees or a boiler suit for a land girl or factory worker look
👠 Shoes & Accessories
- Low block heels, brogues or even pumps will do
- Seamed tights or bare legs with ankle socks
- Add a brooch, pearls or a simple handbag to finish the look
- Gloves and a little hat or fascinator if you’re feeling fancy
- Not got any seamed tights or stockings? An eyeliner pencil and someone with a steady hand will be just the job! Women used to stain their legs with gravy browning, tea or even sand!
💡 Quick Outfit Ideas
- Land Girl: Green jumper, dungarees, headscarf, wellies or boots
- Housewife style: Shirt dress, apron, rollers/headscarf, red lippy
- For a more dressed-up look: Tea dress, heels, clutch bag, pearls, hat
it’s more about the spirit of the event than getting it perfect. And if all else fails: red lipstick + a headscarf = instant vintage!
Maybe offer a small prize for best dressed?
🎤 4. Make the Most of the Music
I’ll bring the 1940s vocals and nostalgia – you can help create atmosphere by:
- Having people seated comfortably for a singalong
- Leaving space for dancing – a bit of a jive or a waltz goes down a treat
- Printing out song sheets for the patriotic songs
📸 5. Capture the Moment
Set up a photo corner or just encourage guests to take snaps –
- You could print a few for guests afterwards as a keepsake
- Or collect them for a community noticeboard or newsletter
🎤 6. Optional Extras
Depending on your event, you could also consider:
- A short wartime quiz or bingo game
- A toast or moment of reflection for those who served, I have the last post on my Ipad which I can play
- Invite a local Army veteran or history speaker to say a few words
VE Day in Britain in 1945 was a massive moment – after six years of war, people were finally able to let off steam and celebrate. It was a spontaneous, joyful day, and while people didn’t have much (rationing was still in full swing), that didn’t stop them throwing a proper knees-up!
Here’s what a typical VE Day celebration might have looked like:
🇬🇧 Street Parties
Communities came together to decorate streets with homemade bunting, flags, and streamers – often made from scraps or whatever they could find. Long tables were set up in the street and everyone brought something to share. These were proper community efforts – even if it was just a bit of jam or a few sandwiches.
🥪 Food (despite rationing!)
Food was still strictly rationed, so people got creative. Some typical treats you might have found:
- Jam sandwiches
- Mock cream cakes (made with marg and icing sugar!)
- Eggless sponge cakes
- Spam or corned beef sandwiches
- Jelly if anyone had powdered gelatine or a tin
- Dripping on bread
- Potato salad (as spuds were still easy to get)
- Homemade ginger beer or National Lemonade
There was a lot of sharing and pooling of rations – people would use up whatever they had tucked away. And of course, anyone who had access to a bit of booze would have brought that out too!
🎶 Music & Dancing
Music was key – lots of dancing and singalongs!
- Big band music and swing from Glenn Miller, Vera Lynn, Benny Goodman, etc.
- Vera Lynn’s “We’ll Meet Again” and “The White Cliffs of Dover” would have been sung everywhere.
- Families gathered round the wireless for Winston Churchill’s speech and the King’s broadcast.
- People would dance the Lambeth Walk, Jitterbug, or just have a bit of a knees-up!
- If someone had a piano, it would be wheeled out and someone would get stuck in.
🎉 Party Games
Simple, old-fashioned games were popular – nothing fancy:
- Pass the parcel
- Musical chairs
- Pin the tail on the donkey
- Egg and spoon races
- Three-legged races
- Wheelbarrow races
- Tug of war
Children were a big part of it all – lots of excitement, sugar rushes, and running about the street.
Even though times were tough, VE Day was full of joy and relief. People were exhausted, grieving, and uncertain about the future – but for that one day, the whole country stopped to celebrate and take a breath!
If you’d like help planning the flow of the event around the performance, I’m always happy to advise – just let me know.
Looking forward to bringing the spirit of the 1940s to you!
