Chester Racecourse unveils “fascinating” VE Day display

Chester Racecourse gave racegoers an extra surprise with the unveiling of a stunning VE Day-themed fascinator at Boodles May Festival Ladies Day today (Thursday 8 May).

Handcrafted by talented milliner, Stephanie Corlett from Maghull, the impressive headpiece features poppies, golden stars representing war medals, and red, white, and blue drapery.

Stephanie, who was named Best Dressed at last year’s Boodles May Festival Ladies Day for her thrifted outfit, has spent a total of more than 40 hours creating the masterpiece, ensuring guests could grab the perfect selfie alongside it.

The collaboration with Chester Racecourse was a special tribute to the 80^th anniversary of VE Day, while also paying tribute to the iconic looks that have become synonymous with Ladies Day.

Stephanie, 37, who launched Stephanie Elizabeth Millinery after re-training online during the Covid pandemic, said: “It has been such an honour to bring this design to life and pay homage to the veterans and, of course, everyone who experienced this period in history.

“Creating a fascinator so grand has certainly not been without its challenges, but I am proud of how it turned out, and to be adding to the history of this incredible racecourse.”

Guests from local Churchill Living property, Eaton Lodge, who were between the ages of 11 and 17 on VE Day in 1945, and have vivid memories of the Second World War, were also in attendance as special guests.

Patricia Blaxall, who was 14 when the Second World War ended, said: “A memory that really sticks in my mind is going on my bicycle when the war ended, and riding up and down the street shouting “the war is over, the war is over!”

“It has been really lovely to be invited to the races today, and to see the fascinator with all its poppies and stars. What a wonderful and very special tribute to such an important moment in history.”

Valerie Johnson, was just five years old and living in Malta when the Second World War broke out.

She said: “My father was in the Royal Engineers, so he was stationed in Malta, and we had to be evacuated when the war began.

“I remember there were three spitfires, called Faith, Hope, and Charity, and we had to be evacuated in a convoy. We docked in Gibraltar, then had to go through the middle of the Atlantic because there were mines in the bays.

“Eventually we docked in Scotland. Not everyone made it, and I was five at the time, so I wouldn’t have understood what was going on. I must have thought it was all a big adventure, but my mother must have been so worried.

“I’ve always loved horses. I had one when I was about 11, so I was very delighted to be here at Chester today for such an important occasion.”

Eric Van Schie, who was 11 when the Second World War ended, also has strong memories.

He added: “I grew up on the outskirts of Liverpool, near Aintree. I distinctly remember asking my mother if there really was going to be a war just before it broke out, and her telling me: “your daddy seems to think so”.

“During the war they used the racecourse near us as a base and put tents up for evacuated French and Belgian troops.

“After the war, when the races started again, we used to get the day off school for the Grand National, because it was on a Friday and there was so much traffic!

“We used to go and see the stable boys in the morning before the races, and they’d say: “come look at my horse!”. Later, when the races were on, we used to go down to the public right of way and tie a bit of rope up so we could stand on it and watch the horses!

“I have really enjoyed the experience today; it brought back some fond memories.”

Sam Martin, Head of Marketing and Communications at Chester Racecourse, said: “Stephanie has once again blown us away with her millinery talents, and what a way to kick-start what we hope will be our best racing season yet.

“With Ladies Day falling on VE Day’s 80^th Anniversary this year, it felt right to pay tribute to and commemorate the occasion in true Chester Racecourse fashion…quite literally!”

The racecourse fell silent at midday with race-goers observing a two minute silence before racing got underway.

For further information about upcoming events at Chester Racecourse, visit: https://www.chester-races.com/