IT’S Tuesday, May 8, 1945 and seven-year-old Zelda is having the time of her life.

She’s out with her parents in the Mall in London.

There are tens of thousands of people smiling, shaking hands and hugging, complete strangers embracing.

Zelda’s too young to fully appreciate what it all means, but she joins in when her mother and father start dancing.

Suddenly a roar goes up and she looks up to see the Royal Family waving from the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

Later on her parents push their way through the crowd into a pub in Mayfair for a drink, leaving their daughter outside with the promise of a soft drink.

A stranger sees her looking lost, hands her a 2s 6d coin and says: “Put this in your pocket and don’t tell your parents. Buy yourself something special.”

Of course, it’s VE Day - the day peace replaced almost six years of devastating war in Europe.

The people knew austerity would continue for a while, but the whole country allowed itself a moment to celebrate, to let its hair down. No more Luftwaffe bombs, no more soldiers going off to fight and never returning home.

Now in her 80s, Zelda Hindley, who would serve as Mayoress of Taunton Deane in 2006, realises the importance of that historic day 75 years ago tomorrow.

She says simply: “I remember the joy of it all.”

Husband Chris, who was the Mayor of the borough 14 years ago, is a proud supporter of our military.

He is president of the Taunton branch of the Royal British Legion.

Chris, who was living near Doncaster at the time, recalls: “I had lived through the war. I remember being told what had happened and that Churchill was going to be making a speech.

“There was so much joy that the war was over.

“We were very relieved it was over and the German bombers wouldn’t be flying over any more.

“There were streets full of people having a party.

“I’m glad they’ve made the 75th anniversary a bank holiday because it’s something that stays with you for your whole life.

“We need to remember what happened - as well as think how we can help each other now in these times.”

Street parties were held all over the country in the days that followed.

There had been plans this May for communities to try to recreate something of the spirit of 1945 with similar street parties all over Somerset and the rest of the country.

But, alas, it’s not to be as the world faces up to another very different kind of war.

So, we asked Esther Hoyle from the South West Heritage Trust, to delve into the archives to discover how VE Day was marked by Somerset communities.

This is what she found.

Like most of the country, Somerset people anticipated VE Day by decorating their streets with bunting, flags and streamers.

On the day itself, as the local press reported, people dressed in Union Jack colours and made rosettes and hats.

In Bridgwater, the domed roof of the Market House was painted red, white and blue, and an illuminated portcullis star was put up on the Town Hall in Langport.

When darkness fell, the skies above Cannington were illuminated by Verey lights sent up by the RAF and bonfires were lit.

In Evercreech the children were so keen for a bonfire that they gathered material for it themselves.

Celebrations, spontaneous or planned, took place in from Monday night until Wednesday and beyond.

Dancing and community singing were enlivened by instruments where possible.

Pianos were brought into the streets and accordions provided. In Ilminster a loudspeaker was set up in an office window.

The crowd was so great at Glastonbury Town Hall that dancers overflowed into the Market Place.

Bells rang out in Wiveliscombe from 8am and Hancock’s brewery opened for a variety concert in the evening.

A whist drive at Lydeard St Lawrence followed sporting events and tea for the children.

Sports at Baltonsborough included skittles, darts, and tug-of-war.

Church services were held on Tuesday and Wednesday, and processions arranged for the following Sunday.

Events mostly passed off without incident, although a practice incendiary bomb was accidentally kicked through the window of Lloyd’s Bank in Ilminster and the temporary stage at Bridgwater partially collapsed. Thankfully there were no serious injuries.

In Taunton the crowd fell silent at 3pm to hear Churchill speak. His official announcement was relayed across Castle Green accompanied by the sound of whistles from local GWR engines.

There was a further pause in festivities at 9pm to hear the King speak, but then the celebrations continued into the night.

Although joy and relief were tangible, there was an awareness too of loss, hardship and the continuing fight with Japan.

Black-out times around the Somerset coast were still advertised on the same pages as reports of the celebrations.