Generations come together for VE Day funday and afternoon tea at Nesbitt’s Cafe, Sconce and Devon Park, Newark

Veterans and octogenarians enjoyed an afternoon tea in the park to mark the anniversary of VE Day — in an event which aimed to unite generations.

Nesbitt’s Community Café, based at the Tom Mann Pavilion at Newark’s Sconce and Devon Park, held the afternoon tea and fun day on bank holiday Monday in partnership with the Sconce and Devon Community Group.

It offered 30 free afternoon teas for those aged 80 and older, to celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day, and served a total of 50 in a decorated marquee in the park.

Among those who joined the afternoon tea were members of the Newark Patriotic Fund, and musical entertainment was provided by singer Annabella Whitaker.

Maxine Storer, who founded the volunteer-run community café and runs it alongside her sister Carolyn Meakin-Doyle, said: “It’s been fantastic, it’s been even better than we expected — people are coming and showing support.

“We’ve done 30 free afternoon teas, ten for veterans and 20 for people over 80.

“We just do things for the community, it’s about getting people together and hearing their stories — it’s important for people to remember what VE Day was all about.”

To bring the generations together, the afternoon tea was complemented with a range of activities for children, including circus skills, bouncy castles, and stalls.

Bill Mitchell, of the Newark RBL branch, also gave a speech on his memories of VE Day.

Among those brought together by the event were childhood friends Lois Wood and Sheila Morley, who often played together while growing up in Newark — but hadn’t seen each other for over 70 years prior to the event at Sconce park.

As well as helping the community come together, Nesbitt’s Cafe runs in support of S.O.S Save Our Stevens support group, also the work of Maxine and Carolyn, which aims to help people bereaved by suicide.