‘It’s so important to remember’: Manchester celebrates VE Day

Carol Wilkinson: ‘You’ve got to remember we wouldn’t be here if those people had not done what they’ve done for us.’ Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian

It’s lunchtime in Manchester, and neighbours spanning three generations in Chorlton are celebrating VE Day with music, union jack hats and England’s favourite delicacy: the sausage roll.

It is one of 20 street parties happening across the city on bank holiday Monday to mark the day when the allies formally accepted Germany’s surrender in 1945.