Couple due to marry on anniversary of VE Day plan social distancing-doorstep party instead

A couple from Oldham who were due to be married on the 75thanniversary of VE Day are instead planning a a social-distancingdoorstep party with their neighbours.

Glenise Walton, 71, and Ken Taylor, 79, were brought together by their passion for wartime re-enactment, their paths first crossed at the Yanks event at Upper Mill 15-years-ago.

Such is their devotion to honouring the heroes of the Second WorldWar, they were due to get married on Friday , the anniversary of Nazi Germany's surrendered to the Allied Forces on May 8, 1945.

With a full 1940s theme, they had hired military vehicles and all 180guests at Chadderton Town Hall were to don wartime uniform or civiliandress, with Churchill-era music to be played at the reception.

But in a time of coronavirus their plans were scuppered after Oldhamcouncil cancelled all weddings.

Instead, the pair plan to involve their local community in a commemoration of VE day.

The 'doorstep' party will involve decorations, Union Jack bunting, aVE day picnic with spam, sandwiches and cake - and Ken's wartime jeep.

The couple's passion for wartime came about after both their parentsserved in the Second World War.

Between them, Glenise and Ken have an array of uniforms includingRoyal Navy, RAF and Land Army.

Glenise is keen to stress that their hobby is not about glorifying war- but honouring the heroes who fought them.

The pair, who are both great-grandparents, got engaged five years agoon the 70th anniversary of VE day.

They had met 15 years ago when Glenise and her pals used to ride onhis wartime truck in parades.

She added: "We always liked each other but neither of us did anythingabout it for fives years - it just shows how slow we were.

"This is just going to be our way of getting people together, safely,for the 75th anniversary of VE day after six weeks of lockdown."