VE Day celebrations go online for 75th anniversary

By timesecholife on in All News, Featured News

This year marks the 75th anniversary of that monumental day and there had been lots of community events planned for Friday (May 8) to help celebrate the anniversary.

On May 8, 1945, the then Prime Minister Winston Churchill announced that World War Two was over, and the occasion became known as VE Day (Victory in Europe Day).

This year marks the 75^th anniversary of that monumental day and there had been lots of community events planned for Friday (May 8) to help celebrate the anniversary.

However, with the current on-going battle with coronavirus across the world and the current Government restrictions in place across the country, those events have all had to be cancelled.

Instead, the nation is being encouraged to come together to celebrate the anniversary from within their own homes and gardens and to share their experiences via the world wide web.

People are being invited to have a two-minute silence at their doorstep at 11am on Friday to remember the fallen; there will be a broadcast of Churchill’s speech at 3pm on the BBC; afterwhich people will be invited to enjoy afternoon tea within their own homes at 6pm and/or raise a glass to your neighbours at 6pm; followed by a nationwide sing-a-long to ‘We’ll Meet Again” with the Royal British Legion at 9pm after the Queen’s address to the nation.

Meanwhile, in Cheadle, councillor Jamie Evans has organised a number of additional online items to mark the day, via the ‘Team Cheadle’ facebook page.

At 3.05pm, Cheadle Town Mayor Ian Plant will give a speech regarding VE Day; followed by a number of music slots with entertainers providing the performances from their own homes.

These will include: at 3.15pm Mike Prescott and possibly the Cheadle Community Choir; 3.45pm Beth Day; 4.15pm Lisa Burton; 5pm Frankie Clinton; 5.30pm Rebecca Jayne and Kyle Lamley; 6pm Stephanie Paulette; 6.30pm Joslyn Plant; 7.15pm Becki Jones; 8pm DJ Jamie Evans and Aidan Edwards, who will also be providing further music after the national sing-a-long of We’ll Meet Again.

Cllr Evans said: “I’m very happy with how it’s coming together and I am hoping the weather stays nice and dry and people enjoy the day we are doing via the Team Cheadle facebook page.

“We would love for people to decorate their houses and gardens and share pictures with the Cheadle & Tean Times so that there can be a nice article about the event afterwards.”

Lots of villagers across the area are also encouraging residents to get involved this Friday – but with keeping social distancing in mind at all times.

In Oakamoor, there will be the ringing of the church bell at 3pm, while villagers are being encouraged to take part in a quiz and colouring activities which are available on the ‘Oakamoor VE Day’ Facebook page.

ARE you having a lockdown VE Day celebration in your home and/or garden?

Please send us your pictures to news@timesandecho.co.uk.

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