June Lowe

June Lowe remembers the VE Day street party that brought neighbours together

I was three during the VE Day celebrations. We lived in Sheffield in back-to-back houses with just one bedroom and an attic. My mum had her seventh child there, but on VE Day there was just me, my older brother Billy and my baby sister Carol.  My dad was also at home as he was in a reserved occupation. My mum was a bakeress. The photo shows everyone from the streets where I lived – I can still name them all. Some families weren’t speaking to each other but on that day everybody was happy. It brought people together. 

I’m at the front wearing my party dress and shoes. Usually I wore my brother’s boots because I was a tomboy. My hair was cut by mum using a pudding bowl. Next to me is my friend Maureen. I remember arguing with her because there were jam tarts and we both wanted the lemon curd one. I went to ask if I could have it and meanwhile Maureen just took it! 

“The yard was decorated with bunting and flags” 

Although our house was small, we had the biggest yard so street parties like this one were held there. We decorated it with bunting and flags. My mum and Auntie Lucy would collect money from the neighbours to pay for the party – even a penny would help. 

We played games like musical chairs and skipping and the grown-ups joined in. In the end, I got sent to bed because I was being unruly. That was always happening – I’d get over-excited and my mum would say “That’s enough June – bed!”