Virtual VE Day celebrations taking place across the Midlands
Today (May 8th) is the 75th anniversary of VE Day.
Here are a number of events or campaigns that are taking place across the Midlands (and the country) to mark the anniversary.
East Midlands
North West Leicestershire District Council is encouraging people to take part in the country-wide campaign to decorate their homes in red, white, and blue, either using what people have at home, or using a dedicated toolkit. People can then share any photos on social media using the hashtag #VEDay75. The council is also encouraging people to take part in the first Nation’s Toast to pay tribute to “the many millions in the who sacrificed so much to secure the freedom we have today.” To do this, you are asked to raise a glass or cup of a refreshment and say “For those that gave so much, we thank you.”
Leicester City Council has launched a special page on their Story of Leicester website, so that memories can be preserved and the anniversary can be marked, despite public events being cancelled. The City Council has collected photos and people’s memories from VE Day in 1945 and collated them on the page for everyone to view.
Mansfield District Council is hosting a virtual party to mark the anniversary on their social media. It'll include activities for families to take part in, such as an “army style workout” and 1940s dance and hairstyle tutorials, before ending the day on a livestream singalong of Dame Vera Lynn’s “We’ll Meet Again”. It is also encouraging people to hold picnics in their front gardens using 1940s-inspired recipes, as well as encouraging people to deliver some of their treats to elderly relatives if they can. The council is also supporting the national two minutes' silence that’s taking place at 3pm, followed by the official Nation’s Toast to World War Two heroes.
West Midlands
Lichfield Cathedral is one of a number of cathedrals across the country that has united behind the Big Picnic For Hope project. Instead of a street party or other celebration, people are encouraged to have a picnic and share photos on social media, using the hashtags #bigpicnicforhope and #feed5000. The #feed5000 hashtag reflects Big Picnic For Hope’s aim to raise £5,000 for the charity the Trussell Trust.
Dudley Council is encouraging people to take part in the country-wide Stay at Home Street Party campaign to decorate their homes in red, white, and blue and to have a picnic in their gardens if they can (while still following social distancing rules). They also call for people to join in on a UK-wide rendition of Dame Vera Lynn’s ‘We’ll Meet Again’ organised by the Royal British Legion at 9pm to mark the anniversary.
The Royal Air Force museum in Shropshire has joined forces with The National Museum of the Royal Navy and the National Army Museum to host The Virtual VE Day 75 Festival, which runs from the 7th - 9th of May. On the 8th of May people are invited to take part in a variety of activities, including decorating their gardens and homes for a VE Day party, learn how to dig for victory and take part in a Make Do and Mend session. There’s also a live webinar at 2pm with Historian and author James Holland speaking to Dr Peter Johnston of the National Army Museum to discuss ‘Why the Allies Won,’ a live Swing Dance Class at 4pm, and then a live sing-along concert with the Bluebird Belles.
Kitten Von Mew, a vintage singer from Stratford-upon-Avon will sing 1940s wartime songs, including songs by Vera Lynn, on her doorstep at 11am on the 8th of May to commemorate the anniversary. Dressed in original 1940’s attire, Kitten Von Mew, 39, who usually performs at military shows and vintage fairs will be singing to raise money for Combat Stress, a leading charity in the UK for veterans’ mental health. She will be fundraising using collection tins at the front of her house, and a crowdfunding page for people to donate online.
A dedicated website for the 75th anniversary of VE day also has lots of resources for how to mark the anniversary, including online resources “to discover your local and family Second World War histories and connections.”