Victory in Europe Day 75th Anniversary in South Gloucestershire

Victory in Europe Day 75th Anniversary in South Gloucestershire

This year marks the 75th anniversary Victory in Europe (VE) Day on 8 May and, like many people across the country, residents in South Gloucestershire are finding new ways to mark the day and remember the bravery of all those who lived, worked and fought in the Second World War. Find more information about the VE Day 75th Anniversary in South Gloucestershire including a link to view ten local people’s real life experience and stories of those who lived in this area during the Second World War. These short films tell stories of wartime childhood, headstrong women and men at war – ordinary lives affected by extraordinary events here.

A national singalong to Dame Vera Lynn’s ‘We’ll Meet Again’ is being organised by British Legion to mark the 75th Anniversary of VE Day. Across the UK, people are encouraged to join in song from their front doors at 9pm on Friday 8 May.

Here in South Gloucestershire, all events have been postponed due to Covid-19, but many local groups have moved their celebrations online for people to join at home:

Monday 4 May to Friday 8 May:

  • Filton Factory week-long victory party: Aerospace Bristol are hosting a week long virtual event to celebrate Filton’s contribution to the war effort, from the very place that local history was made. It will include a virtual visit to Aerospace Bristol’s Second World War Exhibition, including a talk about the secret factories of World War II. Join for a virtual flypast, a make-your-own activity and a nation’s toast, all shared via the Areospace Bristol websiteYoutube ChannelFacebook.
  • Frampton Cotterell and District’s online World War II exhibition: Frampton Cotterell and District Local History Society are running a special display on their Facebook page of what life was like in the local area during World War II. The page will showcase materials that have been collected from many sources and will cover different themes including memories of local people, powering the war effort and many more.

Friday 8 May:

  • The Staple Hill and District Branch’s online virtual party for VE Day: This Party will be joined by other branches and community groups from across the UK, and even Germany and Cyprus. The day starts at 11am with a virtual tea party and will then move onto a day of online live music and entertainment, including speeches and a presentation by HMS Flying Fox. The online celebration will end with the singalong of Dame Vera Lynn’s ‘We’ll meet again’ at 9pm.
  • Bradley Stoke community carnival VE Day family festival at home: Bradley Stoke Community Carnival are taking part in ‘The Big Neighbourhood 75th VE Day Family Festival at Home’. There is a list of free activities on their Facebook page, ending with the singalong of Dame Vera Lynn’s ‘We’ll meet again’ at 9pm.
  • Hawkesbury Upton’s 75 VE Day celebrations: Hawkewsbury Upston will be marking VE day by decorating houses and areas within the village, and in the afternoon residents can join for tea in their front gardens. There will be a last post and reveille sounded at the Hawkesbury Upton War Memorial at 11am. All school children at the Hawkesbury Upton Primary school will also be given a commemorative mug.
  • Pucklechurch’s VE Day 75 Anniversary: Pucklechurch are encouraging people to decorate their windows with flags and bunting to commemorate the end of World War II. At 3pm, residents will be invited to raise a toast in the street for the heroes of World War II.
  • Yate Town Council’s VE Day 75 Anniversary: Yate Town Council will share a timetable of activities on their Facebook page. The VE day celebrations will conclude with the Dame Vera Lynn singalong at 9pm. Yate Town Council are also encouraging people to record their activities on VE Day and throughout the week to help capture this strange time, and share their images from the day with enquiries@yatetowncouncil.gov.uk or via private message on their Facebook page.

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