Staff at Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP)’s Hawthorn House Care Home in Possilpark, which has 120 residents, organised events throughout the week including two street themed parties. This allowed people to come together to celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day on Thursday 8 May 2025.

Residents at Victoria Garden’s Care Home in Knightswood also celebrated the anniversary with a morning tea and an afternoon sing song. There were also garden or street parties in all services with entertainment organised wherever possible.

At Hawthorn House, Elvis, impersonator Shaun Hamilton, entertained everyone, shimmying his way around the gardens, dancing with the ladies, shaking hands with the men and even planting a kiss on the cheek of guest of honour the Lord Provost, Jacqueline McLaren.

She said: “Many of the residents here will remember what it was like to live during a war. It’s important to hear their stories on a day like today. There is a great community feel to today’s event, it’s fantastic. It’s a privilege to share it all with them.”
Residents and their families were asked to provide memories of the wartime, including photographs, newspaper clippings and a soldier’s release book, which were put on display in the foyer of the home.

An old-fashioned sweetie cart and VE Day cake, beautifully decorated by the staff with fresh raspberries and blueberries was also created for the occasion.

Janet McLellan, Operations Manager at Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership’s Hawthorn House said: “It was a fantastic day, enjoyed by all. We have eight units here, so this is a lovely chance for everyone to come together in the sunshine and remember and celebrate.”

“A lot of our residents were kids at that time and their parents were in the army. We have had two street parties over the last two days which have been about celebrating and remembering VE Day.”

Lance Corporal Andy Dominick and colleagues from 105th Division Royal Artillery based at Crow Road, also came along and spent time talking to residents and staff.

Some of the residents talked about where they were on May 8, 1945. Betty Memuir was 13 on VE Day and remembers the celebrations in George Square.

She said: “A pal and I asked our mums if we could go to George Square because we heard there was going to be a party. We went along and it was marvellous - everyone was singing and there was dancing. People were letting off fireworks, it was great until a firework went up then fell back down and landed on my foot ... I have the scar to this day.”

Niki Ross, the Activities Coordinator at Victoria Gardens said; “The day was a good mix of activities where the residents of the care home came together to talk about their memories of that time and share stories about the roles their family members had during the war. One lady told us she was around 8 when the war ended, and she remember how happy everyone was that the fighting was finally over. Families were looking forward to being together again.”

Robin Wallace, our HSCP’s Head of Older People, Residential and Day Care Services said: “‘Celebrating VE Day at Hawthorn House and our other Care Homes was a heartfelt tribute to the courage and resilience of a remarkable generation. It’s a privilege and honour to hear their stories, help reminisce and create moments of joy that reflect the pride and spirit of the day.”