On Thursday 8th May, from 11am-4pm, Care UK’s Carpathia Grange, on Southampton Road, Hythe, is welcoming local people to honour the 80th anniversary of VE Day with its very own 1940s-themed street party.   Care UK’s Ancasta Grove, on Barnes Lane, Sarisbury Green, will also be hosting a special VE Day tea party for the community from 10.30am-12pm.   VE Day was celebrated on 8th May 1945, after Prime Minister Winston Churchill made an announcement on the radio that the war in Europe had come to an end. This emotional news sparked celebrations across the country, with many taking to the streets for spontaneous parties.   The teams at both homes have been hard at work organising their own special commemorative events, which will see residents and guests enjoy delicious food, entertainment and dancing as they embrace the spirit of the 1940s.   At Carpathia Grange, there will be traditional long tables with a tasty buffet and beverages, including Pimm’s, for everyone to enjoy. Meanwhile, a live entertainer will get everyone’s toes tapping with songs from decades gone by.   A lantern of peace will also be lit in the home’s garden by resident Joan Hopper, aged 99, to commemorate the day.   Joan said: “I can remember when peace was announced. Everyone hugged, cried and laughed and I was able to leave work for two hours to join in with the celebrations.   “Street parties were held a short while after, and everyone brought the food they had available due to still having food rations.”   At Ancasta Grove’s tea party, there will be live entertainment from Natalie Waite, who will be performing 1940s tunes, along with traditional party games. A buffet-style afternoon tea, specially prepared by the home’s chef, will also be available.   Audrey Chiduku, Home Manager at Ancasta Grove, said: “We’re passionate about building and maintaining relationships within our community, so we’re pleased to be opening our doors to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day for a special day of sharing memories and a nostalgic tea party.    “Reminiscence activities are a great way for older people, especially those living with dementia, to connect with those around them and help maintain a sense of identity. In the run up to the day, residents have been sharing their own stories and it’s been inspiring to hear everyone’s experiences and memories from wartime Britain.    “We’re looking forward to welcoming plenty of familiar and new faces into Ancasta Grove for a day to remember.”    Ancasta Grove and Carpathia Grange are designed to enable residents to live enjoyable and fulfilling lives. The homes provide full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. The layout of the buildings are configured into a series of individual suites, each having a dedicated lounge/dining room to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities.     To find out more about Ancasta Grove or Carpathia Grange, and for further details about their upcoming VE Day events, visit www.careuk.com/care-homes/locations/southampton