The spirit of 1945 is returning to Putney this May as residents across the borough prepare for a packed weekend of celebrations to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day.
From bunting-decked green spaces to afternoon teas with wartime songs, the community is coming together for a weekend full of memory, music, and good old-fashioned fun. Thanks to support from Wandsworth Council’s VE Day 80th Anniversary Grant Fund, a range of groups have been able to plan special events designed to be welcoming to everyone — from sheltered housing residents to young families discovering VE Day for the first time.
While dozens of street parties and gatherings will pop up across Putney, the events below are among those receiving grant support [pdf]— giving an extra boost to inclusive, community-focused celebrations.
List of supported events
The Summerstown Mission Evangelical Church in Tooting Broadway will transform its local green into a scene straight out of 1945. Expect handmade bunting, trays of sandwiches, cakes, traditional games like sack races, and even a craft tent for children. A proper street party feel — but with a grassy twist.
Over in West Hill, the Edgecombe Hall Residents’ Association will be gathering in their community clubroom for a family fun afternoon — a cozy indoor alternative if the British weather doesn’t cooperate. Residents are planning music, classic board games, and plenty of cups of tea, keeping the wartime spirit alive in true neighbourly fashion.
At Age UK Wandsworth’s Day Centre, the team will be hosting a full-blown 1940s-style tea party for their older clients — many of whom lived through the real VE Day. Tables will be set with Union Jack flags, songs from Vera Lynn will fill the air, and stories of wartime London are sure to be swapped over scones and sandwiches.
Meanwhile, the community at St Mary and St John the Divine Church in Trinity will be gathering for a BBQ and “bring and share” lunch. Expect the aroma of sizzling sausages, tables overflowing with home-cooked dishes, and live music to get the crowd singing along.
Happy Homes Community will be hosting not one but two events — at Doris Emmerton Court and York House Library. Their theme: a day of remembrance, creativity, and community spirit. Residents aged 55+ are invited for memory-sharing sessions, live music, and hands-on crafts like creating commemorative paper poppies.
At St Mary’s Church Battersea, a grand outdoor lunch for elders will be set in the church grounds, complete with live wartime music performances. Singers will lead the community through singalongs of 1940s favourites, with the aim of transporting attendees back to that joyful day in May 1945.
Over in St Mary’s ward, the Katherine Low Settlement (KLS) will host an afternoon tea specially for frail elders — complete with a fleet of minibuses to bring guests from across Wandsworth who might otherwise miss out. Volunteers will serve teas and cakes in a decorated hall, offering a safe, warm way for vulnerable residents to celebrate.
Meanwhile, WOW Mums are organising a heartwarming lunch at Holmleigh Court sheltered accommodation, where children from the local area will join older residents for a storytelling event about the history of VE Day. There will even be performances and games to bridge the generations.
Finally, Creative Support will be hosting a relaxed tea and fish-and-chip supper at Mary Court, where residents can gather, share a meal, and raise a glass to peace.
Is your road or neighbourhood planning a VE Day celebration? If so, click or tap on the Union Jack, send the details, and we’ll add it to the list of events.
Celebrations Made Possible Thanks to Council Support
Wandsworth Council had ringfenced up to £20,000 to support local community groups with grants of up to £1,000 each. In total, nine organisations were awarded grants, totalling just under £5,000.
While not all the available funding was used this time, council officers have emphasised that making this support available helped enable smaller groups — particularly those without big budgets — to stage truly inclusive celebrations. The remaining money will continue to support other community projects over the year.
A Borough-Wide Celebration
Of course, these events are just the beginning. Across Putney and Wandsworth, dozens of street parties, commemorations, and small get-togethers will be happening independently throughout the weekend, as residents decorate their streets with bunting and celebrate a pivotal moment in British history.
With national events including a military flypast, a major concert in Westminster, and a service at Westminster Abbey also taking place, Putney’s local celebrations promise to be both heartfelt and joyful — a true tribute to the resilience and unity of 1945.
For tips on organising your own street party, or to find out more about what’s happening locally, visit putney.news.
