³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ

Like many big cities; as soon as word spread on 7 May 1945 that the war was over in Europe, people started to prepare for the celebration of VE Day on 8 May. And after years of blackouts and rationing, Bristol – like so many other cities – could finally relax.

The Corporation Electricity department had been busy all day trying to get as many lights back on and buildings that had been left in darkness since 1939 were once again illuminated, including HMS Flying Fox on the floating Harbour.

But the majority of the celebrations were to be around the city centre where thousands of people crowded around the speakers in Broad Street to hear Churchill’s announcement, which was followed by the Lord Mayor’s proclamation tour around Bristol.

Audio: Historian John Penny and archived audio of Winston Churchill announcement
Image: Mayor at the time, Cllr Cottrell and other civic dignitaries, listening to Churchill’s announcement being broadcast in the city centre