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Kathleen Rodger鈥檚 Story

A magical moment.

Kathleen Rodgers lived in Weston Coyney during the war. She was 7-years-old on VE Day. Her family owned a small shop in Meir that was near to where the new NHS walk-in centre is now.

American soldiers used to travel through Meir as some of them were stationed near to Uttoxeter. They cheered them through as they passed through and they threw sweets and chocolate for the children from the trucks.

She remembers Winston Churchill鈥檚 broadcast on the radio and says there was great jubilation and celebration. People had bonfire parties which had not been seen throughout the war as fires were not allowed.

There was a big street party in Times Square, Longton. There were speeches made from the steps of the town hall and they put on a firework display. She was scared of fireworks, as she was only young and so she had to be taken home.

She went to Keele bank which looked over the whole city. In the evening they saw all of the lights switch on across the city which she had never seen before. It was a magical moment for her.

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