PEACE CELEBRATIONS AT WINTON

Southland Times, Issue 25670, 12 May 1945, Page 9

PEACE CELEBRATIONS AT WINTON

THANKSGIVING SERVICE The thanksgiving service held at Winton to mark the end of the war in Europe was attended by a very large crowd of town and district residents. Streamers and bunting and’ strings of coloured lights were hung across the streets. Business people had also decorated their premises with greenery, flags and coloured lights. Residents were awakened at 7 a.m. by the fire siren and church and school bells. The railway engines also added their quota. When the lights were turned on at night the Great North Road presented a brilliant scene.

At 2 p.m. a public thanksgiving service was held at the band rotunda. A large parade of returned men of both wars marched from the Drill Hall. The hymns were led by the Winton Municipal Band. The Mayor, Mr N. Metzger, read' the proclamation and referred to the reason of the gathering. The Rev. V. I. Bianchi conducted the service and the Rev. H. Haigh delivered an address. He concluded by paying a glowing tribute to the women who had through the five years and a-half of war borne with great fortitude many hardships and who had waited for this great occasion. Children’s sports were conducted at the school ground, where a treasure hunt caused considerable interest. On Thursday evening a large crowd attended the concert. The Browns Pipe Band played selections and paraded on the Great North Road. A concert party, with the.Winton Municipal Band, staged a programme which kept the large audience interested from the rise of the curtain. The day’s festivities were brought to a climax by an R.S.A. ball in the Radio Hall, which was packed. Special thanksgiving services were held in the churches.