Familar images of celebrating crowds, bunting and bonfires on VE Day in May 1945 are only part of the story of that day. Across the country many celebrated, but others chose to spend a quiet day at home, to walk in the country, or not to celebrate at all.

In conversation, Lucy Noakes explores the intimate diaries kept by hundreds of people for the Mass Observation social survey organisation on VE Day, and shows some of the feelings, preoccupations and concerns of ‘the people’ as the ‘people’s war’ began to come to an end.