?V-Day celebrations 1946 in Scarborough

V-Day celebrations were held in Scarborough on 8th June 1946. A letter was sent to all the guests - a copy of which exists in the green bound pamphlets in Scarborough library. The guests were requested by the Mayor, (Alderman J Jackson JP), to attend the service on Saturday 8th June. These guests also received a ticket for the Olympia Cafe balcony overlooking the drum head service. The Town hall and gardens was also considered to be a good vantage point from which to view these events.

Part of the celebrations was the visit of HMS Hesperus from June 7th to 11th.

The Drum head service would be attended by ex-servicemen and representatives of various local organisations, and the band of the 3rd Battalion, the Green Howards ACF. The singing was led by a massed choir of boys. The service was relayed by loud speakers. The service concluded with the buglers of the cadets band sounding the Last Post and the Reveille.

After the drum head service the Mayor released flights of pigeons bearing messages of greeting to a number of Yorkshire Lord Mayors and Mayors. They were released from the balcony of the Olympia.

A wreath would later be laid at the Olivers Mount War memorial.

A comic football match was played between teams of ex-servicemen on the south sands. A series of attractions including a childrens "sand design" competition were also staged. At 10:15pm the Signal Beacon was set alight on the Castle Wall, and was followed by a torchlight display and bonfire on the castle dykes. A firework display was staged on the East Pier commencing at 10:30pm.

The concluding event was a sea spectacle staged by the Sea Cadets in the South Bay. This included an attack by pirates and thrilling rescues from a burning ship at sea.

Source Scarborough library, V-Day celebrations from green bound pamplets