LLANDUDNO’s Home Front Museum has launched an appeal for photographs and anecdotes of VE Day in Conwy.

This May marks the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe and the museum is putting together an exhibition about Llandudno and the Second World War at St John’s Methodist Church on Mostyn Street. Entry to the exhibition will be free.

Adrian Hughes, curator of the Museum, said “Llandudno played host to many thousands of evacuees during the Second World War and unlike in many other Welsh towns the displaced were not children, but adults.

“In February 1940, the first of 4,000 civil servants from the Inland Revenue in London started to arrive. They took over many of the seafront hotels for their offices and were billeted in the smaller hotels, boarding houses and private houses elsewhere in Llandudno.

“Later in 1940, the Royal Artillery requisitioned land on the Great Orme where they opened the Coast Artillery School in which thousands of soldiers trained on their field guns and searchlights.

“Elsewhere on the Great Orme, top secret radar installations were established and research undertaken into this new technology.

If you can help with photographs or stories then please email the Home Front Museum info@homefrontmuseum.co.uk or call in at New Street, Llandudno. All images can be scanned and returned.

“Later in the war, American service personnel arrived in Llandudno and were very popular amongst the local residents.”

On VE Day, 8 May 1945, crowds gathered at the Town Hall and listened intently as Winston Churchill broadcast live to the nation. The war in Europe was over.

“As a victory peal rang out from Holy Trinity Church, the town bandsmen struck up, playing the national anthems of the Allies. The singing and dancing continued late into the night and bonfires were lit on the beach and surrounding hills.

“In the subsequent weeks, street parties were organised. Primarily for the younger members of the community, they were an opportunity to don fancy dress while ration coupons were pooled to put on a spread. These celebrations were tinged with sadness as often the children had lost fathers, brothers or uncles in the war.”

Adrian added: “In addition, some of the photographs will be used in a special digital display at two concerts taking place that week.

“The special VE Day concerts are being organised by Conwy Town Orchestra. The first is on Saturday May 2 at Gloddaeth Church, while the second is at St Mary’s Church, Conwy on Thursday, May 7, both start at 7.30pm. The music will be fitting to the VE day celebration and will include Nimrod by Elgar and the Dambusters March by Eric Coates. During the performance digital images of Llandudno and Conwy during the Second World War will be projected.”