In the moment the flags were raised, he wiped a single tear from his cheek

On May 8, many across the city-region stopped to celebrate the day that marked victory in Europe

Hundreds gathered at events across Greater Manchester towns to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

Scores of people gathered at the cenotaph outside Rochdale Town Hall to commemorate the special occasion.

Members of the public, school children, army veterans and politicians on all sides circled around the Memorial Gardens during the event.

Paying tribute to the war effort and those who died fighting, the crowds heard extracts from speeches of war-time Prime Minister Winston Churchill and King George VI before the playing of the Last Post.

One man in the crowd, in awe of the patriotic moment the flags were raised, wiped a single tear from his cheek.

It was an emotional occasion for all, particularly for the veterans who watched on proudly in their military uniforms. The VE Day service also featured hymns, poems, readings and the laying of wreaths.

Although the crowds didn’t take up the entire footing of the town hall like it did 80 years ago, there was still a big Rochdalian presence in attendance. One pensioner - Ena Myers - even had her hair done especially for the occasion.

In Rochdale the local veterans of all ages who fought in wars across the country meet in the Flying Horse just outside the town hall every Thursday. But this Thursday's meet up was extra special as they all made their way over to the cenotaph after a hearty breakfast.

Speaking after a full English fry-up, complete with Union Jack flags in the sausages, Steve Butterworth, Royal Navy vet who fought in the Falklands, said: “For me, most of us have had grandparents or great-grandparents who’ve been involved in the war. It’s about family.

“We hope there will be more camaraderie between the community on VE Day, like we had in the army.

“After the last veteran who fought in the war is gone, is it just going to be forgotten, that is the worry. This will be the last big VE Day where the surviving vets will be here, which is sad.

“That’s why we meet up here every Thursday, to keep their memories alive through us.”

Michael Wood, who fought during the Northern Ireland conflict in the Royal Artillery, added: “It’s got to be remembered because it was such an awful thing and we can’t make that mistake again.

“I think they should talk about this in schools more. But the veteran community in every town will be like this.

“The reason is the togetherness of the army, and people on civvy street don’t get it. So being around people who get that and understand you is important.”

The honoured guest of the occasion was Rochdale’s last surviving veteran of World War II, Ken Wright. Sat in the front row to watch the proceedings, the 102-year-old said he wished his comrades were lined up by his side - just like when they landed in Normandy on June 6, 1944 (D Day).

Incoming Rochdale mayor Coun Janet Emsley, who had the honour reading out Winston Churchill's post-war speech, said: “It’s a special day today because a lot of the veterans have memories of varying places of conflict. It’s not just about VE Day really. It’s about our armed forces coming together as a unit of people who support each other.

“All the veterans are suited and booted and it’s important to them all to represent.

“These men and women from various conflicts come together, yet we still have people out there in conflicts. So it’s really important we spread the message that we want peace around the world.

“It’s not something that is easily achievable with the political situation the way it is at the moment. The situation is the most confusing it has been since World War II.”

Highlighting the significance of VE Day, Margaret Smith, chaplain to the Armed Forces Association, said: “Today is an important day, but it’s bittersweet. Because on May 8, 1945 people were still recovering from those who died, there was still war in Japan and some people didn’t know what was happening to families in prisoner of war camps.

“Today was a celebration for ordinary people. I think we tend to remember veterans in November and we can’t forget that, but this is to celebrate people who had gone through rationing, those who stepped up to work in the factories and the fire brigade.

“I hope we can encapsulate that.”

Oldham’s party atmosphere

In the next town over, Oldham was trying to encapsulate the party atmosphere VE Day had when Winston Churchill first declared it a public holiday. When the Nazi Germany surrender was announced on the radio waves 80-years-ago, people across the country took to the streets singing and dancing.

In Tommyfield Market, Viva La Vintage singer Abbi-Kaye Ellison was in charge of getting locals moving and singing in the same way. The Yorkshire-born performer belted out hits from Vera Lynn, Elvis the Beatles - getting market-goers' feet tapping.

At one point she even had a few punters up on stage with her singing along.

“‘We’ll meet again’ by Vera Lynn is usually the one that gets people going," Abbi-Kaye explained.

“When I’ve done the 1940s weekends before I’ve had people coming up to me showing me their war medals and telling me their stories, which is lovely. The music brings out those memories for people.”

Married couple Susan and Mike Shaw had bumped into old friend Les Mayrick in the market and were all bopping along to the music.

Mike said: “We’ve come in here and saw all this going on. I’ve listened to it because it’s my mother’s sort of music.

“I get emotional hearing all this. The market has changed, it used to be the best market in the country, so it’s nice to have something positive like this happening here.

“Because my mother is no longer with us, hearing this and seeing the celebrations is quite emotive for me.”

Les was born just a year before the war ended, so hearing the vintage music took him back to his youth. His memories are more of the rebuilding effort of post-war Britain and the bomb shelters on his street.

Les added: “It was difficult times so it’s really important to have these days so people remember.”

Another crowd member, John Bruce, said: “Luckily my father didn’t go to war because of the job he was doing. But he did do the home guard.

“I was a military police officer. I always try to get out for VE Day and VJ Day because we should never forget. It worries me that these days people don't remember, don’t want to remember or don’t care - which is wrong.”

Linda Jankowski brought a picture of her uncle to Tommyfield Market and was watching on. VE Day remains a vitally important day for her family.

The 69-year-old said: “My uncle was 22 when he died on December 12, 1944 and he was killed in action in Athens. He was in the parachute regiment and was killed by a German sniper.

“I went to where he was buried 40 years ago to see him. But today means a lot to me because of the end of war in Europe and the celebration. But it’s a sad day as well as we remember those who lost their lives.

“We must remember those who didn’t come home from war.”

Coun Ken Rustidge, who served as a major in the army during the Iraq war, said the music was bringing people that nostalgia and feel many people had 80-years-ago.

The Failsworth East ward representative said: “I think it is nostalgic and the council has done a great job putting these events on.

“As a veteran myself it’s nostalgic to think about those who served, particularly those who didn’t survive, on either side.

“We should do everything we possibly can to prevent war.

“But if it wasn’t for our service people we probably wouldn’t be here. We need to carry on this remembrance and not repeat the same mistakes.”