Cumbria and southern Scotland celebrates 75th anniversary of VE Day

  • Border
Sophie and Charlie Dodds celebrate VE Day in Dumfries Credit: Sheena Stevenson

The region is marking 75 years since the end of the Second World War in Europe with scaled-back celebrations due to coronavirus.

Public gatherings that were planned have been cancelled but many are holding parties at home and in their gardens.

In West Cumbria, Muncaster Castle near Ravenglass, was lit up in the colour of the Union flag last night and a socially distanced parade in Seascale this morning saw the British Legion's standard carried through the village.

Socially distanced VE Day parade in Seascale near Whitehaven Credit: ITV Border

Residents came out on to the streets to cheer the parade which started at the school and ended at the war memorial at the Church of St Cuthbert.

People in Seascale cheer the flag parade through the village Credit: Oliver Hodgson

Meanwhile in Dumfries and Galloway, villagers at Boreland near Lockerbie have been getting creative with teddy bears and even 'royalty' joining in the celebrations there.

Boreland near Lockerbie Credit: Hutton Community
'The Queen' and a soldier mark VE Day in Boreland near Lockerbie Credit: Hutton Community

And it's not just parties that have got a VE Day-theme at the moment. The North and West Cumbria Scrub Hub - a project that sees volunteers make protective gear for NHS workers - has been including small VE Day-related gifts in the packets being sent out to thank those at the frontline of the national coronavirus battle.

Small VE Day-themed gifts have been added to packets containing scrub gear being made by volunteers for NHS workers Credit: Scrub Hub
Five-year-old Sophie McCreadie's VE Day garden party in Stranraer Credit: Debbie Lorraine McCreadie
Colin Robson from Lochmaben dresses up for VE Day 75 Credit: Dorothy Coupland
Michael Ballard from Carlisle with his VE Day cupcakes Credit: Mary Ballard