Wartime memories

BEING chosen to play Britannia in the VJ Day celebrations in Nantwich in August 1945 is recalled by Mrs Brenda Pritchard (nee Basford) of  Blagg Avenue, Nantwich, with these photographs which she loaned to the Museum.

   She also loaned us cuttings of articles that appeared in the Nantwich Guardian, from which we learned of what went on at the time.

In an undated cutting, a reporter writes:

   “Unprecedented scenes marked the final peace celebrations at Crewe and Nantwich on four days last week, culminating in an unforgettable climax on Saturday night.

   “Having already enjoyed the benefit of a full-scale rehearsal following VE Day, thousands of people turned out as actors in the final show.

   “For the second time in three months, public buildings, shops and houses were gaily decorated, and the overjoyed inhabitants let themselves go all-out in an orgy of merrymaking, which paled the VE Day festivities into insignificance.”

   “We saw the floodlit Square packed for VE Day, but that was nothing compared with last week’s crowds. Standing on the raised dais on the Square on Saturday night, one scanned a vast sea of faces, and it was estimated that at one time there were nearly 10,000 jammed together at this focal point and percolating into the adjoining streets.

   "Many of the revellers wore fancy dress costumes, and by the light of the floodlamps prizes were awarded to the best-dressed characters.

   “The final striking scene, in which ‘Peace’ (portrayed by Mrs Arpadhaaz, daughter of Mr and Mrs W.J.Lake of Stapeley) laid a wreath of laurels at the feet of Britannia (a role taken by Miss Brenda Basford)will long be remembered.”

Brenda Basford as Britannia - pictured in

a local photographic studio after the

victory parade.

    The newspaper reported that Britannia later took part in “an impressive victory parade”, seated on a horse-drawn lorry.

Britannia (Brenda) waits on her horse-drawn lorry as the victory parade

assembles on Barony Park.

IN the Nantwich Guardian of Friday, August 31, 1945, there was a report of “Little Brum’s" celebrations by a Guardian reporter:

  “Although VJ Days were over a fortnight ago, victory celebrations at Nantwich go on. Following the memorable public demonstrations of V.J. Week, “private” celebrations have been held in different parts of the town at which residents of several streets have been “royally” entertained.”

   The previous Saturday, celebrations had been held in “Little Brum” – better known as Cowfields – for 60 children. “During the tea, we had an appropriate little speech from Miss Brenda Basford, who so successfully took the role of Miss Britannia in the big VJ parade.

   “In a spirit of helpfulness and comradeship, they should remember the ‘boys’ who had made the victory celebrations possible, said Miss Britannia, and she hoped that in the future the nations of the world would so conduct themselves that the people would never

The victory parade moves through

the town Square

 again have to undergo the ordeals of the past six years.

    “Miss Basford made reference to the great part played in the war by the women of the country, and she hoped they would use the same energy and initiative for the maintenance of peace. Concluding, Miss Britannia declared: ‘Let our motto be that we will make this land of ours a place fit for children to live in.' ”

lParties, held in the Wood Street area and the Barony Buildings and Hurleston Buildings area, were also reported.

lOur thanks to Mrs Brenda Pritchard for the loan of the photographs and press cuttings.