Veterans join in patriotic party in Cannock

They sang nostalgic songs, played table top games and reminisced at the session held at Sir Julian House in Bridgtown, Cannock.

The event at the centre run by Age UK was held to mark the anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (VE) on May 8, 1945. The public holiday marked the formal acceptance by the Alliesof Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender of its armed forces, thus marking the end of the Second World War in Europe. Staff at the day centre dressed in 1940s-style aprons and hair nets while they decked the rooms at the Walsall Road facility in Union Flags and laid on lunch and a sing-a-long. Among those taking part in the anniversary celebrations was Second World War veteran Leslie Green, aged 85, of Lichfield Close, Great Wyrley.

He served in the Royal Air Force as a LAC (Leading Aircraftman) and was based in Wilmslow and South Africa. After leaving the military he worked as a toolmaker. Mr Green was one of the first to sign up for activities at the centre's new day opportunities scheme and was at the forefront of the singing.

Sir Julian House's team supervisor Caron Rogers said: "We have been celebrating VE all this week as not everyone comes in everyday. It gives all our users a chance to take part. Some of our users have dementia while others have complex needs. We have up to 20 per day here and we are almost full to capacity with about four places left. It is quite a happy house and we like to laugh a lot."