ANDOVER marked the 80th anniversary of VE Day with a flag raising ceremony, live music and cream teas. 

To honour the day the Second World War came to an end in Europe in 1945, events were organised in Andover on Thursday, May 8.

At 9am, there was a flag raising ceremony and VE Day proclamation at the Guildhall.

MP Kit Malthouse attended the ceremony to pay respect to all those who served, including his family members who served in the Second World War, from the home front, to North Africa and the Far East.

The MP was joined by Major Andy Clifford, WO1 (RSM) Wayne Cunningham, Colonel Luigi Gregori and Mayor Heather Neate. 

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Cllr Iris Andersen with Reverend Sam Waako  (Image: Newsquest) Gathering at the Guildhall afterwards, attendees shared their memories of VE Day. 

Paying her respects, June Harris, 94, said she remembered watching the RAF and Luftwaffe fight in the clear blue skies above Andover in 1940. 

She said: "You could look up at it [the dogfights]. There were one or two who were shot down but you don't know who, of course."

She also recalled the first VE Day, when she was working as a police clerk at just 14 years old.

She said: "I had dozens and dozens of messages from Winchester Police HQ and there were dozens of defence requirements that had to be cancelled or people couldn't enjoy themselves.

"Church bells were signals of a German attack."

Mayor of Test Valley, Councillor Ian Jeffrey, said VE Day was the "result of the ultimate community effort in the Second World War; my parents' generation".

He continued: "The events of today bring a lot of it back to our memories.

"I think it's brilliant how our country has reacted [...] and I hope we won't have to repeat what was experienced in those days."

Andover Community Engage (ACE) held a VE Day party alongside their Dementia and Wellbeing Club. Attendees were treated to live music and cream teas. 

SEE MORE: Andover woman, 94, remembers first VE day celebrations in the town

June Harris, 94, at the Guildhall  (Image: Newsquest) Maria Tierney, trustee at ACE, said it could not have put on the event without Stannah, who sponsored and arranged the day with the Andover Dementia and Wellbeing Club. She said it was extra special to have an event on VE Day. 

She said: "As my grandparents were all in the war, it's a significant thing to remember the end of the war. I'm lucky to have all my grandparents at the end of the war, many others didn't."

Clive Elliman, who runs the Andover Dementia and Wellbeing Club, served in the RAF from 1980 to 1986 said: "At the end of the day, VE Day is for those who did what they did for what we can do today. We've got freedom, at least for the moment."

Also celebrating the day were nursing students from Andover College. They attend the dementia cafes to meet people outside of the classroom and textbooks. 

They said that attending on VE Day was extra special, with many people having served in the armed forces.

READ MORE: Hampshire celebrates 80th anniversary of VE Day with parties and WWII convoy

Major Andy Clifford, Mayor Ian Jeffery (TVBC) with Andover Town Mayor Heather Neate, and WO1 (RSM) Wayne Cunningham (Image: Newsquest) Also at ACE was Tim Peters, 56, was an infantryman and pioneer in the Royal Pioneers, serving from 1991 to 2004.

The Andover man served in the three tours of Northern Ireland, with the UN in Angola and in the First Gulf War against Saddam Hussein.

He said VE Day was about "the freedom for us to carry on our lives. But it's also about remembering the boys and girls who didn't make it".

His family served in the First World War and the Second World War. His great-grandfather lost his life in one of the battles of the Western Front.

He said: "They gave their lives for us at the end of the day. So many aspects of our lives were changed by WW1 and WW2."

At 6pm, residents were invited to a service at St Mary’s Church.