VE Day celebrations

In 1945, parties in the street and crowds cheering in Trafalgar Square marked Victory in Europe Day, the end of six years at war.  This year, 2020, is the 75th anniversary of VE Day and our May Bank holiday this year, was moved to May 8th in order for us to celebrate those who gave so much  ...  sadly other things have conspired to nix many of those planned gatherings, but never say never!!!  People are still being encouraged to decorate their homes in red, white & blue and join in both TV and virtual celebrations.

Me with Papa Bill and Uncle Bill at the
WWII tunnels in Ramsgate

Papa Bill's memories  ...  my dad was 11 at the end of World War II and his family lived down an alley in east London.  Their party was held at a junction where three roads met together, close to St Margaret's Church.  He remembers they built a big bonfire in the middle of the road; people brought tables and chairs out of their houses and shared food, to party and celebrate together.  You could hear the boats on the River Thames all blowing their horns, and church bells were ringing, which hadn't happened during the war.  Special VE day mugs were given out. He also remembers that the council had to come and mend the road afterwards because the bonfire had done a lot of damage  ...  in war-torn London I'm not sure that was a big deal.

Uncle Bill's memories:  Uncle Bill was just five when the war ended. He lived with his family in Liverpool and right outside their house were tram tracks with no space to party, so neighbouring families joined together for their celebrations.  Bill's eldest brother had recently completed his training in the Irish Guards and was part of the Victory Parade in London.  Two of Bill's sisters travelled to London for the celebrations and amidst thousands of other visitors to the capital, they miraculously ran in to their brother!! Uncle Bill's most vivid memories were of the food they saw for the first time after the war had ended, such as bananas and peanut butter that was sold in slabs like ordinary butter 😁

So, how will the nation celebrate in the

middle of the coronavirus???

Here's what's happening on the BBC ...
11am: A two-minute silence will be held to honour the service and sacrifice of the wartime generation and reflect on the devastating impact Covid-19 has had on so many lives across the world.
11.15am: The nation is invited to join in with the Royal British Legion’s VE Day 75 Livestream. Grab a cup of tea and tune in as the generations of the Second World War and today are brought together to chat about their shared experiences. This 45-minute programme will feature stories from those who served and sacrificed, as well as recognising the difficulties people are experiencing today.
3pm: The Nation’s Toast to the Heroes of World War Two. Take part by raising a glass, cheering and clapping on your doorsteps and saying: “To those who gave so much, we thank you.”
9pm: A pre-recorded address by the Queen will be broadcast at the exact moment her father, King George VI, gave a radio address on May 8 1945.
9pm: Fancy a sing-along? After the Queen’s address, the nation is invited to come together in a rendition of Vera Lynn’s We’ll Meet Again on BBC One.