FOOD and drink, music, bunting and wartime games featured as communities around South Cumbria staged events in 1995 to mark 50 years since the end of the Second World War in Europe.

The Mail, on Tuesday, May 9 in 1995, recorded many of the street parties held to commemorate VE Day.

The article noted: "Sixty patients from Ulverston Hospital and their relatives sang along with the musical maestro Ken Watson who entertained them with a selection of old favourites.

"Staff dressed up in fetching wartime costumes while hospital cooks baked and decorated a special VE Day cake.

"Over at Greenodd 200 people, including local church minister, the Reverend Gary Weymss, mingled in Main Street enjoying an afternoon of fun, music and games including tug of war and ducking the apple.

"The smell of barbecued food was tantalising in Ulverston's Lightburn Avenue as around 50 adults and 20 children enjoyed a back street party.

"One of the games proved to be appropriately pinning a moustache on Hitler.

"Residents from Parkfield, Swarthmoor, contributed food and drink to make the party go with a swing for young and old alike.

"In nearby Park Avenue, neighbours got together at the last minute to hold a party for around 30 local residents in a small cul-de-sac.

"VE Day festivities were also held in Duke Street, Gleaston."

At a combined party for residents of Sharp Street and Steel Street in Askam there was an opportunity to take part in a wheelbarrow race.

Villagers in Coniston used VE Day to launch an ambitious £600,000 appeal to expand the Ruskin Museum.

New displays planned in the museum extension would include copper mining, Donald Campbell and mountain rescue.

In Barrow, the Rodney Street festivities had a visit from town mayor Betty Willacy.

Rodney Street resident Joan Collier, thinking back to those who enjoyed the 1945 parties, said: "We just wanted to let people know that we have not forgotten all they did."

Festivities on the town's Vulcan estate included face painting and a coconut shy.

Among Barrow streets getting into the VE Day spirit were Brathay Crescent, Wasdale Grove, Westway, Longway and Cardiff Street.

Most of the village turned out at Roose to join the fun and resident Anne Ray said: "It is wonderful to see the children enjoying themselves."

At Albert Street, Millom, around 300 people enjoyed sausage rolls and sandwiches to the sounds of Vera Lynn.

Pensioners at the Albert Street party were presented with commemorative mugs.

Winifred Chapman, 82, said: "I can remember the street party we had 50 years ago. We put on a lovely spread."

Millom's Oxford and Surrey Street residents kicked off their street party with a fancy dress competition and a potato and spoon race.

Organiser Anne Middleton said: "They couldn't use eggs during the war because they were in such short supply."

John Dixon, 81, of Nelson Street, Millom, said: "I can remember exactly what I was doing on VE Day 50 years ago. I was in Italy.

"There was a feeling of great relief and of course we had a drink of Italian vino."