Recent recipient of the BEM honour from King Charles III, Mrs Sally Kelly, has played a central role in organising Clare Primary School’s VE 80th anniversary
celebrations.
Mrs Kelly – who was awarded the honour in recognition of over 30 years’ service as a School Cook in Clare Primary School – has been helping other members of the school staff prepare for the memorable occasion.
In addition to her normal duties, she prepared along with her colleagues in the school kitchen, a special school meal which was a central feature of the school’s
activities on Thursday May 8.
The meal included a bun – typical of the times in the mid 1940’s – which was enjoyed by the pupils and teachers alike!
Over the course of VE Day 80, the pupils also enjoyed a talk and presentation from local historian, Mr Richard Edgar, on the 1945 VE Day activities in the locality.
During this workshop the pupils learnt about some of the events that took place in and around Tandragee as well as hearing about some of the local characters involved in the festivities.
After the national two-minute silence the pupils listened to a rendition of Winston Churchill’s ‘Victory Speech’ on VE Day delivered by school caretaker Mr David
Wilson, complete in appropriate costume.
To finish off the day the pupils and staff took advantage of the fine weather and had a VE Day parade around the school grounds to show off their costumes which
replicated the outfits worn by school children, members of the services and local people at the end of the Second World War.
The VE Day parade took place with the songs and tunes of the 1940’s as a backdrop.
The school have paid thanks to the efforts of the staff and parents of the school the memory of this special anniversary which will live long in the minds of the young people from the Clare area.
Check out the full gallery below:
