VE Day 75: how to mark it at home with a poster to colour, a toast, Winston Churchill's fruitcake and a singalong with Dame Vera Lynn
Streets and homes were decked with bunting as celebrations spilled into the streets 75 years ago on May 8 as the nation cheered news of victory in Europe.
Current restrictions means 75 years on we can’t hold the same street parties, but on Friday, May 8, there’s a special bank holiday when we can all come together by marking the day at home. Here’s some ideas...
The toast
The Nation’s Toast to the Heroes of the Second World War will be at 3pm on May 8. Be upstanding and raise a glass: “To those who gave so much, we thank you,” paying tribute to the millions at home and abroad that gave so much to ensure we all enjoy and share the freedom we have today.
The poster
We’ve produced a special free poster to colour in and stick in your window or on your door for the day. It would be a great activity for the kids to do in order to decorate the house when perhaps other materials aren't available. Click here to get some high resolution copies to download and print.
The Queen
The official commemorations will begin at 11am with a national moment of remembrance and a two minute silence. At 11.15am you are also invited to join in with the Royal British Legion’s (RBL) VE Day 75 Livestream.
On the BBC, extracts from Sir Winston Churchill’s victory speech will recreate the moment peace in Europe was announced 75 years ago at 3pm. The Archbishop of Canterbury will also record a special reflection and moment of prayer for VE Day.
Her Majesty will send a special message to the nation at 9pm on May 8 - the same time her father King George VI made a radio address marking victory in Europe. This will be followed by a national singalong of Dame Vera Lynn’s We’ll Meet Again when people will be encouraged to open their doors and join in a national moment of celebration.
The bunting
If you’ve plans to bring out the bunting to mark VE Day this Friday - a firm fixture at street parties across the country 75 years ago - make sure you take a look online first.
Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson MBE, the most injured UK serviceman to have survived the Afghanistan conflict, launched an initiative to display it at homes across the country.
A bunting template pack can be downloaded online at bbc.co.uk/makeadifference and share your images of bunting, posters and other celebrations on social media using #GreatBritishBunting and #VEDay75
The cake
Celebrate with a slice of something the man who led us to victory in Europe loved. Churchill coordinated the war effort from his Kent home in Westerham, now under the care of the National Trust, which has released his favourite fruit cake recipe for us all to celebrate with.
The recipe is from Georgina Landemare, one of his personal cooks, who said Churchill was an “incredibly fussy eater” but despite her cooking with wartime rations, she was able to rustle up recipes that inspired him to tell her on VE night he “could not have managed throughout the war without her cooking”.
A DAY TO CELEBRATE
Major events planned for VE Day 75 have been forced to be cancelled due to current restrictions. But some have found online ways to mark it.
Hever Castle has cancelled its special bank holiday weekend VE Day events but has a special party pack to download for your period style home party at hevercastle.co.uk
Writer Michael Morpurgo is one of the authors providing podcasts for the Chiddingstone Literary Festival, which had been due to celebrate VE Day 75 this weekend. The podcasts of author talks begin on Saturday, May 9. Full details online at chiddingstonecastle.org.uk
English Heritage, which has sites including Dover and Rochester castles, has a VE Day 75 pack to download which event includes 1940s dance steps and a Spotify playlist. Go to english-heritage.org.uk
Many areas are being encouraged to stage street parties at home. For instance, in Tenterden, the council is urging everyone to have a Stay At Home Party with period dress, a picnic or tea party and be ready the singalong after 9pm.
Ashford Borough Council has a VE Day activity pack from Made In Ashford, commissioned by Craftship Enterprise CIC and designed by Tinybeegle, online with wartime recipes and kids' activities. Details at ashford.gov.uk/ve-day
