VE Day
Published: 01 May 2020
How to Celebrate on the 8th of May in Lockdown
As you are probably all aware, our original plans for a VE Day 75 Street Fair Celebration were cancelled for this year due to the Coronavirus Lockdown and we plan to run a similar event in May 2021 instead.
However ……. There is still the opportunity for you and your household to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of VE Day on Friday 8th May. To comply with the Government rules, the Last Post will be played by Colin at 2.55pm from his garden.
Anyone else who has a bugle, trumpet, cornet (or dare we say a kazoo) and who might like to consider playing the Last Post from their own garden is welcome to join in, all we ask is that you do not play in an area that could attract a group of people.
We are suggesting that in order to mark this important anniversary that we all join together in the Nation’s Toast at 3.00pm from the safety of our own homes or front gardens (and especially where you can wave to your neighbours).
To join in the Nation’s Toast to the Heroes of WW2 – you just need to stand and raise a glass of refreshment (of your choice) and say the Toast as follows: “To those who gave so much, we thank you.”
This is a unique opportunity to pay tribute to the many millions at home and abroad that gave so much to ensure we all enjoy and share the freedom we have today and it is the first time that such a tribute has ever taken place, so please encourage your neighbours and friends to join in from their own homes.
We have also been searching the websites and have some other ideas for you to hold your own version of a Street Party Picnic in your front garden, starting with the traditional bunting – but if you don’t happen to have any stuffed away in your attic, the BBC has come up with some templates to make your own bunting from paper – which can then be strung from your gate or hung in your windows:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4TrqYDyf4PMdLypxzyTwGDg/great-british-bunting
And English Heritage have some ideas for a celebratory picnic, including food, songs and dancing:
https://www.veday75.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/English-Heritage-Party-Pack.pdfYou can find a lot of inspiring ideas and stories on the Imperial War Museum Website:
https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/victory
Share your picnic and bunting photos with your friends or on Social Media #VEDay75 #GreatBritishBunting
Stay Safe and Enjoy VE Day 75
The VE Day 75 Team: Barry Roberts: 811 906, Lisa Le Druillenec: 812 500
Sian Highnam, Susannah De Ferry Foster, Alix Austen, Eddie Parker.