HEREFORD ON VE DAY 1945

On 8th May 1945, the country celebrated the end of the European War and Victory over Germany [note 1]. Here is how Hereford celebrated:

The scene in High Town. British and American flags decorate an awning erected in front of the Butter Market.
To the left, Lloyds Bank advertises Savings Bonds. A variety of uniforms can be seen in the crowd,
including some airmen and WAAFs, possibly from RAF Shobdon, plus an excited schoolboy in striped cap,
 possibly from the Cathedral School.

The same scene in High Town, the camera veering right. The Market Hall sign is clearly visible above the entrance to the Butter Market, together with, to the right, the "City and County Stores" and Currys, selling radios and bicycles.

A children's street party in Church Street, just off High Town.

The same party, with Union Jacks and a portrait of Churchill in the centrepiece. Behind and to the right, an outlet
of Ind Coope & Allsopp, the Lichfield Vaults pub, which remains in Church Street today.

The same party with its most senior member at the head of the table. Check the ties, flat caps, and airman in the background.
Capstan cigarettes are available from the Lichfield Vaults.

The same ground many years later (probably the late 1980s) looking in the opposite direction towards the Cathedral.
The Lichfield Vaults are still in business to the left, and the shop fronts have little change (the white arched windows
to the left of the Lichfield Vaults, for example, are the same - and the same colour - as in 1945).

[Note1] - for those visiting this Blog for news of the "Very British Civil War", these photographs are no doubt somewhat disorientating. They emanate, of course, from a parallel universe where Edward VIII did not fight for his throne, Mosley never became "Prime Minister", and Neville Chamberlain declared war on Germany in 1939. Instead of leading an "Assault Column" into Herefordshire (blog posts to come), Mr Winston Churchill became Prime Minister in May 1940, and five years later celebrated victory: