Join VE Day 75 celebrations to mark historic moment

On 8 May 1945 at 3pm, Prime Minister Winston Churchill made an announcement on the radio that the war in Europe had come to an end following Germany’s surrender the day before.

To commemorate this significant milestone, Harborough District Council (HDC) is inviting residents to:

• Toast the Nation at 3pm and share selfie photos on social media using the #VEDay75 hashtag (and #Harborough hashtag which the Council will be retweeting)
• Decorate their homes or businesses (if they are open) with bunting etc and share photos on social media
• Share their old VE Day photos or memories on social media
• Watch and listen in to local and national broadcasts celebrating VE Day 75, including the Queen’s address to the nation at 9pm

Winners of the Harborough District Council’s recent VE Day 75 poetry competition will be announced by email and on social media on VE Day Friday 8 May 2020. Runners up will have their work shared on social media over the VE75 weekend.

The Council is also reminding residents to make sure they celebrate safely in light of Government guidance on social distancing and not to mix with other people.

Cllr Phil King, Leader of Harborough District Council said: “This is a time to look back and celebrate a significant moment in our history, as well as remembering the sacrifice of so many. It is important that we mark this occasion in our own special ways, but even more crucial that we do this safely and in a way that observes strict social distancing.”

The following guidance for VE Day 75 has been issued by Government:

• Residents are being urged to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day from the safety of their homes
• In line with national government guidance on social distancing, most events planned to mark 75 years since the end of War in Europe on Friday May 8 have been cancelled
• Residents are still being encouraged to celebrate the occasion in their homes by displaying posters, bunting and hosting tea parties with a war time menu while continuing to follow social distancing guidelines
• By taking these steps and adopting this approach to VE Day Celebrations people will be helping to ensure that our emergency services can be focused and prioritised on alleviating pressure on public services during this pandemic where it is most needed
• People across the nation are being asked by local BBC radio stations to take part in the ‘Great British Bunting’ by creating their very own VE Day 75 bunting and displaying it in their windows during the period from Friday May 8 to Sunday May 10
• For those wanting to host their own tea party in their home, a range of different recipes from the 1940s and a music playlist are available from the national VE Day 75 campaign
• Residents can also get involved with national events which includes a two-minute silence at 11am, the ‘Nations Toast to the Heroes of World War II’ at 3pm and a televised address from The Queen at 9pm. The pre-recorded address by The Queen will be followed by a national sing-along of the wartime favourite Dame Vera Lynn’s We’ll Meet Again
• The ‘Nations’ Toast to the Heroes of World War II’ will take place at 3pm and people can take part by standing at home and raising a glass of refreshment of their choice and undertaking the following toast – “To those who gave so much, we thank you”
• We’re also keen to gather photos, video, stories and artwork of people celebrating VE Day to form part of the Isolated but Inspired project, a digital time capsule to document this time in social history which is being co-ordinated by Leicestershire’s Museum Service
• Share your views, pictures and more on Twitter with the hashtag #VEDay75.

Read more about how to get involved at https://ve-vjday75.gov.uk/get-involved/

More detail on the Governments approach to the VE celebrations is available through this link
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/her-majesty-the-queen-to-send-a-message-to-the-nation-to-mark-75th-anniversary-of-ve-day