Musician prepares to recreate VE Day celebrations for 75th anniversary

On May 8, 1945, Nazi Germany formally surrendered to the Allied Forces. Celebrations erupted across Europe, with street parties, bonfires and music.

But for Terry Wadkin, VE Day holds an additional significance - it was the day he discovered his love of music.

He said: “In 1945 I heard one of the neighbours bring his piano into the street with all the soldiers that were on leave.

“That inspired me and I said to my mum ‘I wish I could do what he does’, and she brought me a piano.”

Terry, 84, went on to a successful career as an entertainer, which has seen him play across Europe and on cruise ships.

Tomorrow, he will mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day by taking his piano into the street and performing wartime music for his neighbours - just as he celebrated 75 years ago.

“It’s very, very important,” he said. “To remember the war like we do, we know what it was about and we know what street loyalty was about.

“On VE day we came home with a proclamation from the King stating that the war was over and it was to be a national day of celebration, which of course it was.

“It was important to us because we could have our lights on. We’d been living in the darkness for five years.

“And now all of a sudden we’ve got street lights and we could play in the street. There were no more gas masks.”

Despite the ongoing social distancing measures, he says his neighbours in South Hiendley are planning to celebrate as best they can, and have already begun stringing bunting along the streets.

Terry said: “It’s a British stiff upper lip. It’s what the British are known for, a knees-up approach even if it’s in separation.

“We’ve got to have some sunshine in our lives.”

Terry will play to his neighbours in South Hiendley to mark VE Day on Friday.