CELEBRATIONS for Victory in Europe Day gave a care home resident a trip down memory lane, writes Thea Jacobs.

Care UK's Winchcombe Place in Maple Crescent were joined by the squaddies from the local barracks Mayor of Newbury, Julian Swift-Hook, and for their VE Day party.

102 year-old resident John Lill was a Royal Engineer during the Second World War and shared his memories of the war with the visiting solders.

Stephanie Jones, the home's manager, said: “There can be little doubt the Second World War played a huge part in the lives of so many, and here at Winchcombe Place we wanted to honour VE Day in as fitting a way as possible.

“We wanted to evoke the spirit of the street parties and other celebrations which were held at the time.

“The residents had a wonderful time reminiscing as they were taken back to the mid-1940s for what proved to be a very special day.”

Staff at the home dressed in period attire and decorated the rooms with memorabilia to create the look and feel of the 1945 street parties in Newbury for VE Day.

The atmosphere of the day was completed with live 1940's music played to the residents by Sarah Saunders.