Nestle Tutbury Marks VE Day with Heartfelt Community Celebration.
Nestlé’s Tutbury factory, the proud home of Nescafé, hosted a moving VE Day celebration on Tuesday 29 April, inviting local pensioners for a special afternoon tea to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day.
By Harry Parker
The event was a tribute to the spirit of community and remembrance, with the historic site transformed into a space of nostalgia and celebration. Guests enjoyed a traditional VE Day Afternoon Tea, complemented by live music performed by talented members of staff from the factory, and several tables of wartime memorabilia, which the Burton Echo team found especially fascinating. These included wartime photographs of the local area, yearbooks featuring attendees from decades past, soldiers’ uniforms, conscription manuals, wartime propaganda posters, ration books, and more — all offering a powerful, hands-on glimpse into the era being honoured.
On display outside were vintage military vehicles, including a 1943 Willy’s Jeep, Citroen U23 army lorry, a 1934 Riley Monaco, and two WWII motorcycles, giving attendees a true walk down memory lane.
Factory Manager David Guest welcomed guests with an introduction, setting a respectful tone ahead of a two-minute silence. The moment was honoured by a live performance of The Last Post, played by a solo musician, while veterans stood in solemn remembrance — a powerful and emotional part of the afternoon.
The event was carefully organised by a dedicated on-site team. Jane Downes, Staff Shop Assistant at Nestlé Tutbury, commented: “It was a privilege to host this special celebration for our local pensioners. The spirit of VE Day is a reminder of the importance of community and connection, and we are proud to honour this significant milestone together.”
Among those in attendance was former Nestlé employee Anthony Ball, who appeared in the Nescafé Behind the Beans campaign. Lifelong coffee enthusiast, Anthony embodies the enduring sense of pride and community spirit that Nestlé Tutbury has nurtured for decades.
Local residents Anita and Chris shared their appreciation of the afternoon: “We’ve had an amazing afternoon. The food was beautiful, the cakes delicious and the atmosphere wonderful. We enjoyed the music and even had a little sing-a-long. We took a walk outside to have a look at the vehicles – a true walk down memory lane. We would like to say a huge thank you to Nestlé for putting on the event and for making us feel such a part of the community.”
Nestlé’s Tutbury factory has been a staple of the local area since 1901, first opening as a milk factory. Nescafé production began there in 1959, and today the site is a Centre of Excellence for the brand, producing up to 170,000 jars of instant coffee every 24 hours, including Nescafé Original, Gold, Azera and Dolce Gusto.
As part of the wider VE Day commemorations, another local celebration will take place on 10 May from 12–5 pm at the Jubilee Hall. The event, which is free to attend, will include a classic afternoon tea and a unique silent disco, where guests can enjoy 1940s music and listen to original radio broadcasts from the era. Space is limited, so attendees are encouraged to book their place by emailing hattonparishevents@gmail.com.
The Burton Echo team was proud to be on site to cover such a meaningful and community-driven occasion.
(LTR) Burton Radio & Echo’s Harry Parker, Honor Douglas and Tom Drysdale
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