Norwood Park estate celebrates VE Day 80th anniversary and wartime British Red Cross hospital role with charity afternoon tea and party

A historic hall welcomed the community for a special charity event to celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day and its wartime role.

During the second world war, Norwood Park was transformed into a convalescent home for wounded servicemen, under the care of the British Red Cross.

To celebrate this connection between the estate and the Red Cross, Norwood Hall hosted a decadent afternoon tea on VE Day, with live entertainment from the Mansfield Male Voice Choir, all to raise funds for the humanitarian charity.

Norwood Park chief executive, Tim Eatherington, said: “I think it’s important to remember our history, because of course today it’s a wonderful wedding venue, but there is so much more behind it.

“When an anniversary like this comes along, it’s a great opportunity to celebrate, especially when we have such strong links as we do with the convalescent home and hospital.

“Our guests have had a real insight into what Norwood was like during the war, and our staff have made a really great effort, dressed up in vintage Red Cross uniforms, and everyone is here to have a good time.”

The party was also a chance to highlight Norwood’s history with a display of wartime memorabilia and historic photographs, as well as artefacts found from across the estate by the resident metal detectorist.

British Red Cross representative, Cheryl Dooley, said: “We’re talking about helping people in this place during the war, but we’re still helping people today.

“I’ve learnt so much hearing from people first hand about what the Red Cross means to them — these memories evoke such strong emotions.

“Listening to Sir John speak about what it was like here, playing with the soldiers — it shows that throughout all the darkness there were beacons of light, hope, and happiness.

“That’s exactly what we are as an organisation, so this event today sums it all up perfectly and we are incredibly grateful for all the support.”

One of those who shared their own connection with the Red Cross, was Andre Rogulski, whose father was liberated from a Russian prisoner of war camp and cared for by the organisation afterward.

He had recently sold some of his father’s wartime effects at auction, and handed the £500 raised to Cheryl so that his father’s legacy can help the Red Cross to continue helping people today.

The current custodian of the Norwood Park Estate, Sir John Starkey, used the occasion to celebrate his 87th birthday.

Sir John spoke to guests about the history of Norwood and its wartime role, including his own memories of growing up during the war.

He was just a young boy at the time, but vividly remembered the experience of living alongside and playing with many of the near 1,000 soldiers who had been rehabilitated on the estate during those years.

“The servicemen living on the estate were incredibly kind to us children,” said Sir John.

“As a seven-year-old, I remember the excitement of VE Day so clearly — I hung Union Jack flags in my bedroom, and we celebrated all around the house.

“It’s a date that has always held great personal significance for me, feeling even more meaningful that my birthday falls on the day.”

He added that marking the date with this anniversary event was “an incredible moment of remembrance and celebration.”