VE Day 75 at home: How the UK will channel 1945 spirit in lockdown

On May 8, 1945 the British public took to the streets and packed Trafalgar Square to celebrate Victory in Europe Day.

Songs and celebrations rang out as the country marked the end of six long, hard years of war.

And while this year the coronavirus lockdown has meant that hundreds of celebrations planned for the 75th anniversary have had to be cancelled, others have adapted and are going ahead.

The PA news agency has spoken to organisations across the UK to get a round-up of how the country will be marking the occasion, be it taking part in the Nation’s Toast, cooking with ration books or planning a #VEDay75stayathome party.

Across the UK:

– 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 (RBL) VE Day 75 Livestream – https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/stories/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.

Hosted by TV presenter Sonali Shah, the 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.

The National Museum of the Royal Navy, the National Army Museum and the Royal Air Force Museum are also joining forces to host a free online festival, bringing to life the stories of those who helped deliver Victory in Europe.

Events will be available online on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and can be accessed on www.nmrn.org.uk/virtual-ve-day-75-festival.

In the regions:

– A “huge virtual party” is planned for Mansfield in Nottinghamshire, with residents encouraged to hold picnics in their front gardens and deliver wartime-style treats to loved ones in lockdown isolation.

Singer Jessica Poole, known as the Yorkshire Belle, will lead a wartime sing-along of 1940s favourites live on the council’s Facebook page at 8.15pm.

– In Plymouth, which was bombed on 59 separate occasions during the Blitz, people are being encouraged to put on their dancing shoes at home.

Local troupe Plymouth Dance have made online tutorial videos to get the city whirling and twirling to Frank Sinatra classics Sway and Come Fly With Me.

– In Surrey, Epsom and Ewell mayor John Beckett said: “We may be in lockdown, but we are a patriotic borough, so let’s mark this great day by getting out the bunting and the Union flags and turning our borough red, white and blue.”

– Basingstoke mayor Diane Taylor is encouraging people to join in the international Cry for Peace at 6.55pm. She will be streaming the address live on social media at the same time as dignitaries around the world.

– The Huntingdon branch of the RBL has brought together standard bearers from around the world, asking them to film themselves lowering their flags. Clips of hundreds of standard bearers have been edited together and combined with a blessing from a local vicar and will be posted online at 11am.

– Barnsley will be marking the day with a virtual speech of remembrance from the mayor, Pauline Markham, at 10.45am, followed by The Last Post performed by Barnsley Music Service and broadcast on the council’s Facebook page.

– Darlington Borough Council will host a “virtual street party” on its Facebook page, featuring performances from a variety of local singers and contributions from staff at Head of Steam Museum and Crown Street Library.

– In Gloucester, a series of videos will be shared by Gloucester City Council, looking back at the Second World War, including the contribution of the Gloster Aircraft Company, which manufactured thousands of Hawker fighter planes.

– In the North East, residents of Newcastle and Gateshead will be able to look out at the Tyne Bridge, which will be lit up in red, white and blue.

–  Similarly in Leeds, Leeds Civic Hall, Town Hall and City Museum will all be lit up in red, white and blue.

– Derby City Council will be broadcasting a special pre-recorded dedication service to mark VE Day at 2.45pm on Facebook.

– In East Anglia, King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council is holding online 1940s dance classes along with an ARP warden plane-spotting quiz as part of its celebrations.