Celebrate VE Day at home

6 May 2020 10:34
Published by: Scott Callan

Stockport Town Hall will be lit in red, white and blue to honour the service of the Second World War generation as the borough and the nation marks the 75th anniversary of VE Day.

People and businesses across Stockport are being urged to get involved in the (#VEDay75) celebrations while adhering to social distancing guidance.

The weekend of May 8-10 is the 75th anniversary of?Victory in Europe Day. The government has moved the May bank holiday to VE Day to allow the nation to remember the sacrifice so many made.?

Tom McGee, deputy leader of Stockport Council, said: “In Stockport there will be a range of activities local residents can get involved with to help the borough celebrate the 75th anniversary of VE Day - whilst adhering to social distancing measures.

“Stockport Town Hall will be lit in red, white and blue to honour the service of the Second World War generation. Let’s take the time this weekend to remember all those people who sacrificed so much for our future.”

In Stockport, The Heritage Library will be dressing up the shop window for people on their daily walk, as well as hosting a VE Day quiz and providing a VE colouring sheet and a book list of VE related titles available via Borrowbox.

It will also be asking for people’s lockdown VE day virtual party stories and photos which will be archived for future generations to read. You can find out more here: https://www.stockport.gov.uk/topic/stockport-heritage-library

Stockport Museum services has also prepared a short film of the Roll of Honour at the War Memorial Art Gallery so that people can make a virtual visit to pay their respect and remember the fallen during lockdown here.

To commemorate VE75 and as mark of respect, Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery and Stockport Air Raid Shelters have installed ‘Tommie’s in the window’, these are silhouettes of soldiers that can be seen by passers-by on the A6 and Chestergate.

In partnership with the Heritage Library Service, Stockport Museums will also be releasing a short slideshow of archive images highlighting how VE Day was celebrated in Stockport in 1945.

Stockport Air Raid Shelters have also launched a web version of their audio tour guide which you can listen to here: https://bit.ly/AirRaidAudio

Nationally there is a call for people to share their stories by posting photos and stories of their?families’?connection to the Second World War on social media using #VEDay75.???

A toolkit has been developed?and shows how people can get involved in marking #VEDay75. This includes tips for hosting a tea party at home, colouring, bunting, creative challenge for children and more:?https://ve-vjday75.gov.uk/plan-your-ve-day-party/

The Royal British Legion has also organised a programme of activities include a VE Day 75 livestream, national moments of Remembrance and thanksgiving, and activity packs for individuals and families.

A VE Day Learning Pack is available on The Royal British Legion website page alongside a VE Day 75 activity pack produced by the National Memorial Arboretum.

• Royal British Legion Schedule - Two Minute Silence at 11am on Friday May 8 followed by:

11:15 – The Royal British Legion VE75 Livestream

20:00 – VE Day 75: The People’s Celebration, BBC One

21:00 – ‘We’ll Meet Again’ Singalong

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