80 years since the end of the Second World War to be commemorated

Newtown Local History Group will mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War with the launch of a new book and a special evening of remembrance in the town.

The group, which has been researching and preserving local history for more than 35 years, has compiled Newtown Remembers World War 2, edited by Ann Evans.

The book features stories originally published in the group’s Newtonian Journal, including The Shadow Factory by Brian Poole and Evacuation by David Pugh, alongside many others that recall how Newtown was transformed into a garrison town. 

During the war, the town’s population doubled with the arrival of soldiers, prisoners of war and nearly 1,000 child evacuees from Rock Ferry, Birkenhead.

Ann Evans said she was inspired by the wartime experiences of her parents, Sheila and Vernon Evans. Her mother moved from Liverpool to join the Land Army in Caersws at 18 before working in the munitions factory, while her father served with the 7th Royal Welch Fusiliers, later being wounded in North Africa at Gazala, near Tobruk.

The book will be launched at Newtown Library on Monday, 1 September, between 2pm and 3.30pm. Ann Evans and Brian Poole will attend, and the event will include a short film and a photographic exhibition, with many images from the Geoff Charles Collection.

As part of the commemorations, the group is also organising an 80th Remembrance & Commemoration of WW2 evening at the Monty Club on the same day. Doors open at 6.45pm, with Newtown Silver Band and the Castle Belles Choir performing from 7pm. Tickets cost £1 and are available from the Monty Club.