NEWNHAM VE DAY CELEBRATIONS
Family Fun Day - Saturday 10th May 2025
This May, we mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, our nation will unite to celebrate 80 years of peace since the end of World War II in Europe. VE Day 80 is not only a tribute to those who fought for freedom but also a powerful reminder of the resilience and unity that have defined our country ever since.
Come and join us on the Village Green on Saturday 10th May to celebrate! There will be local society stalls, games, food, music and fun to be had including “Make your own Spitfire”, “Best Huntley & Palmer Biscuits” and “Best 1940’s Costume”.
For all of the information you need to come along and to take part in the competitions carry on reading.....
Event Details
Bells & Sirens
At 13:00 the Church Bells will ring to mark the beginning of the day, along with air raid sirens
A parade from the Church to The Green will commence at 14:00
Join in the parade in your own 1940s costume! Prizes will be awarded to "Best dressed Adult" and Best dressed Child"
Inside the Marquee
1940s Musical Montage, dancing and live music from local bands:-
The Mangoes
&
Well known local faces - The Spitfires! (formerly the Coronation Cavaliers & Nathan + Friends)
Food
Maria's Kitchen will once again be on hand with their well-loved takeaway food including curry/chilli.
Marquee Tickets
Tickets are available for the Marquee @ £4/person. This includes £1 off purchases at Maria's Kitchen food stall, voucher to be presented at purchase, £1 discount for 1 item only.
There are limited tickets for the marquee and these will be on a first come first served basis. Payment will be required upon ticket request and will not be reserved without payment.
Tickets available from Judith Dorkins - please contact
JudithDorkins@btinternet.com
Spitfire Competition
On the day all of the competition entries "build your own spitfire" will be judged, so get building now!!
Spitfires should be no more than 60 cm long and of home design – no plastic models. Entries should have string to hang them in the Marquee.
Please bring your competition entries to the Marquee at between 10:30 and 11:30am on the 10th May clearing marked with your name and details. Prizes will be awarded for the best entries during the afternoon.
For model ideas visit:-
Huntley and Palmer Biscuits
During World War II, Huntley & Palmers played a crucial role in supplying biscuits to the British Army and civilians, producing "Army No. 4" biscuits and other products for rationing, including "emergency bread".
In May 1940 Huntley & Palmers accepted an urgent army contract for biscuits which involved the entire use of their auto plants 24 hours a day, seven days a week until completed. In 1942, biscuits became one of the foods being rationed, and Huntley & Palmers produced biscuits that were considered "value for points". They produced the "Huntley & Palmers Army No. 4" biscuit, a thick, square biscuit made from whole-wheat flour, which was a standard ration biscuit.
This VE Day we are challenging you to make your own Wartime Huntley and Palmer Biscuits!! Make your biscuits using either of the recipes that you can download by clicking the button below.
Your entry should include 3 biscuits which can be plain or decorated and should include your name and contact details. Please deliver your entries to the marquee on Saturday 10th May by 11am. Prizes will be awarded for the best entries during the afternoon.
To find out more about Huntley and Palmers Wartime efforts visit the Reading Museum here
Best 1940's Costume
Get into the festivities by dressing as a wartime character – land girl, evacuee, soldier, airmen, famous face. Feel free to join in the parade at 2pm from St Michael and All Angels Church to The Green starting off at 2pm.
Prizes will be awarded for the best adult and child!
We need YOU!
Setting up and organising this event takes a lot of effort from volunteers and members of the village, who work hard to put on a good show. We would be most grateful for anyone that can come and help set up the marquee and the tables and chairs at 10:30 am on Saturday. Many hands make light work, and it won't take too long if there are enough people to help. Please fill in the form below if you are able to assist, and we will be in touch with more details.
Marquee Volunteering:-
Newnham is a small village located in the county of Northamptonshire, just south of Daventry, situated on the banks of the River Nene and surrounded by beautiful countryside. The village name is thought to derive from Anglo Saxon meaning, however it could also mean 'At the new homestead/village' or 'at the new hemmed-in land'.