The traditional events used to mark Victory in Europe Day anniversaries have had to be cancelled or adapted in order to prevent further spread of Covid-19. New ways to celebrate VE Day this year on 8th May have been developed. In the North West, there are initiatives to involve Cadets in the celebrations.
Isle of Man Army Cadets
Army Cadets are taking part in the 75 for 75 Day Challenge. With encouragement from the local Royal British Legion branch, and to mark VE Day – the challenge will require the Cadets to undertake an activity or activities equating to 75 e.g. 75 laps of a pitch, climb the stairs 75 times, run, jog, walk or cycle 7.5km or miles. The challenge will raise money for the RBL. Further details can be found on the Isle of Man Army Cadets Facebook page.
Local authorities are providing many ways in which people can celebrate VE Day 75:
St Helens
St Helens Council is launching a virtual wall where people can add photos, stories and mementos of the day. It’s one of many ways that the council is offering communities a way to commemorate the day on Friday 8 May together safely from the comfort of their own home.
Families are also encouraged to get involved by creating posters marking the anniversary as celebrations run throughout the bank holiday weekend and in partnership with St Helens Star families can get their own poster template in the paper. It is also available to print from St Helens Council’s website.
The website also has ideas to help host your own party at home and at 3pm on Friday 8 May everyone is encouraged to raise a glass from the safety of their home and make the toast: “To those who gave so much, we thank you.” See www.sthelens.gov.uk/VEDay
Culture Liverpool
Are proud to host the city’s Digital Wall of Honour – an online archive that pays tribute to those brave men and women from the city who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our liberty. While this wall of honour features individuals (and animals) from all walks of life who have served their country in conflicts from all around the world, members of the public are encouraged to enter the details of anyone you may wish to remember at this time from WW2 as part of our #VEDay75 celebrations.
You can view the Digital Wall of Honour here or if you would like to contribute, all you have to do is complete your memory on our digital e-form here.
Tameside Council
Dance for Victory
After Winston Churchill’s announcement, people across the UK celebrated, taking to the streets to dance and sing.
During the UK lockdown Tameside Council are hoping to capture this spirit of celebration whilst staying at home and dancing for victory! Simply follow their simple online tutorial of a wartime inspired dance routine you can learn and perform at home.
A reminder of other virtual ways to commemorate VE Day 75:
SSAFA Art Competition: https://www.ssafa.org.uk/news-articles/ve-day-75-art-competition
RBL VE Day Singalong – https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/stories/ve-day-singalong
Imperial War Museum – https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/what-you-need-to-know-about-ve-day
RAF Museum virtual VE Day – https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/about-us/virtual-ve-day-75.aspx
National Army Museum – http://www.nam.ac.uk/whats-on/virtual-ve-day-75-festival-day-2
Celebrate VE Day at home with English Heritage – https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/inspire-me/ve-day/
The Nation Remembers, 11am
Tune in to BBC One for a poignant two-minute silence paying tribute to the heroes of past and present.
For all the latest updates about how people are commemorating VE Day in our local communities and information on national initiatives – search #VEDay75 or follow @VEday75official on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
