Weymouth Town Council encourages community to celebrate VE Day 75th Anniversary at home
Although Weymouth’s plans to host a major three day VE 75th Anniversary event on the beach have been cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic, plans are underway to organise a combined VE & VJ event on Weymouth seafront in August to coincide with the 75th Anniversary of VJ Day (15th-16th August).
With no public events taking place, the Council are encouraging the community to recognise this historic anniversary by celebrating at home on Friday 8th May (a national bank holiday).
Cllr Graham Winter, Mayor of Weymouth Town Council, said:
“With the current restrictions in place, we are encouraging the community to apply the “make-do” spirit to remember the end of the Second World War in Europe in style. We are asking residents to decorate their homes and gardens with bunting before the commemorations, for which they will be encouraged to dress in 1940’s style clothes and have afternoon tea. To keep things interesting, we will be asking people to share their celebrations online. We urge all residents to remember to stay safe and incorporate social distancing at all times during their celebrations.”
The Town Council is also arranging for tributes from local people and artists to be shared on the Weymouth Town Council Facebook page in the lead up to and on the VE Day 75th Anniversary bank holiday on Friday 8th May. This will include a message from the Mayor of Weymouth and a musical tribute from the popular local group The Decadettes, who were looking forward to performing at the Weymouth VE Day 75th Anniversary event.
A programme of national events on Friday 8th May will include:
11am – the Royal British Legion is encouraging people across all generations and communities to take part in a national moment of remembrance, and pause for a two minute silence to honour the service and sacrifice of the Second World War generation and reflect on the devastating impact COVID-19 has had on so many lives across the world.
3pm – raise a glass as part of the toast the heroes of the Second World War to coincide with the moment Winston Churchill addressed the nation.
9pm – Her Majesty The Queen will address the nation, followed by a national singalong of Dame Vera Lynn’s ‘We’ll Meet Again’. The public will be encouraged to open their doors and join in with national moment of celebration.
