Marking the 75th anniversary of VE Day

6 May 2020 10:58
Published by: Scott Callan

People across Trafford are being urged to maintain social distancing and celebrate at home as the borough marks the 75th anniversary of VE Day over the coming bank holiday weekend.

With public events cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak, Trafford Council is encouraging people to commemorate the special day from their own homes, beginning at 11am with a national two minutes of remembrance.

Council leader Andrew Western will lay a wreath on behalf of all the residents of the borough in the sunken garden in the grounds of Trafford Town hall, immediately following the two-minute silence.

He will be joined by Armed Forces Champion Cllr Judith Lloyd. The mayor, Cllr Rob Chilton, will also be laying a wreath at Sale.

The council has also pulled together a range of ideas and resources to help people mark the 75th anniversary at home.

These include a Trafford Archives online exhibition ‘All in it together’ about the Second World War in the Trafford area, soundscapes from IWMN telling personal stories of life in wartime and details of key events taking place throughout the day, including an address from HM The Queen and a UK-wide toast to wartime heroes.

Cllr Western said: “We are disappointed to not be able to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day as planned, but that doesn’t mean the day should pass without celebration and reflection, and we hope residents will find ways to commemorate the occasion safely within their own homes.

 “Whether it’s decorating homes and front gardens red, white and blue, listening to and watching historic speeches and events, cooking up a ‘rations dinner’ or joining in with the UK-wide rendition of ‘We’ll Meet Again’ at 9pm, there are many ways to get involved and remember the historic sacrifice and triumph of VE Day 1945.”

 

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