Groomsport VE Day Celebrations
Act of Remembrance
The Act of Remembrance was organised in cooperation with local resident, Alan Hay, and his colleagues in the Bangor Branch of the Royal British Legion. Over 100 people attended the Act of Remembrance.
Planters provided by “Groomsport in Bloom” set the scene.
The participants in the Act of Remembrance
Rev Dr David Irwin, a trustee of Discover Groomsport, conducted the short service.
Mrs Catherine Champion, the
Vice Lord Lieutenant of County
Down read “The Sermon on the
Mount”
Mrs Maureen Irwin, whose father served in WW2 as a Royal Navy Chaplain, laid the wreath
Groomsport in World War 2
This exhibition in the Parish Halls was visited by some 200 people over the weekend. The display panels covered those who served and died in WW2, those who served and the British and American soldiers who were based at Groomsport House. The exhibition also included some WW2 items that Victor Brown had found with his metal detector.
The exhibition brought back memories to many of those attending and some found that they had family and life connections with others visiting the exhibition.
The exhibition
The final panel of the exhibition asked a question – this is the answer!
A document containing all the items on display, will be shortly
appear on our website: https://discovergroomsport.com/digital-archive/ . The final panel of the exhibition asked a question – this is the answer!
VE Day Commemoration Picnic
The picnic was blessed with wonderful sunny weather and was attended by about 500 people. The following photographs show the range of activities that were enjoyed by those who attended.
The view from the harbour
The view towards the boathouse
Mrs Champion cut the commemorative cake which was baked by Mrs Valerie McConnell
Maureen Irwin, Councillor Eddie Thompson, the Lord Mayor (Councillor Alistair Cathcart) and Mrs Champion with two young men in WW2 uniforms.
Crab fishing is always a very popular activity
Ruth and Sharon dressed in WW2 style. Along with other volunteers, they helped with the children’s crafts in the Boathouse
Looking after the raffle prizes and the sharing table were Elaine, Audrey, Judith, Maureen and David
Jenna and Dave, the singing duo
“In Full Swing”, entertained the crowd.
The bouncy slide was popular with younger children
Football, on the green beside the Boathouse, was organised by
Groomsport Football Club
Photographs: Ellis McWhinney, Peter Gibson and Susan Clarke.
Discover Groomsport, May 2025
