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I remember the news of VE day spreading as I was only 7 years old and earlier that day I had finally mastered the art of riding a two wheeled bike. It was my sister's cast-off machine and because she had acquired a bigger bicycle she had had the saddle removed from the old one as it was in better condition than the existing one. So the bike I inherited had no saddle on it and I had to ride all the time just standing on the pedals - but this was no problem when you've had the thrill of actually being able to keep up on two wheels at last. It was double-summertime those days so it was still very bright sunshine that evening, but I was in bed as usual, before eight o'clock when I heard a neighbour knocking our front door and being very excited when talking to my parents, also there was a lot of noise from the road so I looked out of my bedroom window to see almost everyone at their gates and laughing a lot and other children were back out playing. I called out to my Mum and was told that the war was over and I could get up again as everyone was celebrating the news. So I got dressed again and went out and spent the next hour racing up and down the road on my bicycle showing off my newly achieved skills again.

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