Lost VE Day photo found in loft ahead of 75th commemorations
An Ipswich resident came across a family photo from the original VE Day ahead of the 75th commemorations taking place on Friday.
Nicki Yucel, a Teacher of Foundation Learning at One, found the historical snap whilst tidying her loft during the lockdown.
The photo shows her mum (Maureen Still, nee Blomfiedl), nan (Rose Blomfield) and two uncles (Barry & Reggie) taking part in a VE Day street party that took place in Shaftesbury Square (just off Rope Walk) in Ipswich, on 8th May 1945.
She said, “It was great to find the photo and to have a record of this historical occasion.
“I also found a picture of my mum aged five in 1945 with an American pilot who was stationed in Suffolk. He was locally known as the Candyman (as he innocently gave my mum and other children at Christchurch Park candy bars) and she remained in touch with him for 60 years following their initial meeting.
“They even had a reunion in Tehachapi, California, 45 years after the Candyman (real name Rex Cooperman) left Suffolk to return to America before he passed away in 1999 at the age of 82,” she added.
Photos aside, Mrs Yucel has organised a VE Day Zoom quiz for 20 colleagues at One and she is also planning a Zoom VE Quiz and sing song with current and former One students and staff on Saturday morning.
