ON Thursday, May 8, the 80th Anniversary of VE Day, communities across Mid Devon and the Crediton area came together to remember and honour the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of all those who served during the Second World War.

At Tiverton a large crowd gathered for a flag raising ceremony at Phoenix House, welcomed by the new chair of Mid Devon District Council, Cllr Gordon Czapiewski.

As at so many other locations, a two minute’s silence was held and prayers said.

At Coldridge a Commemoration Evening took place in the Village Hall and people could watch the King’s speech live on the big screen.

It was followed by the Beacon Lighting by Coldridge resident Beryl Meier (91), who recounted her life during the World War in South East London and spoke of her time when she was evacuated to Drewsteignton.

She said: “When I was a child an incendiary exploded in our front garden. We ran all night to escape the bombing and everywhere was on fire.”

Such was the devastation, she added: “The next day we went home and our bedding was hanging out the window.”

She spent VE Day in Drewsteignton and did not return to London until 1946.

At Lapford an impressive World War Two Memories Display was exhibited on the Church Green as part of VE Day 80th Anniversary Celebrations and Commemorations.

It tells Lapford's World War Two stories from the words of those who remembered it.

At South Tawton the Beacon Lighting was cancelled due to the tinder dry condition of Dartmoor.

Pupils and staff at Chulmleigh College observed a two-minute silence to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day and created a large VE 80 design by standing on the school field.

At Crediton Library, Izzy Fitzgerald collected VE Day and WW2 memories for the Reminiscence Project.