Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Towns’ VE Day tribute
Airdrie and Coatbridge fell silent to commemorate the 75th anniversary of VE Day, marking the end of World War II in Europe.
Planned events had to be cancelled due to the coronavirus lockdown, but the special moment was still honoured in poignant style at Airdrie’s war memorial.
Lone piper Amy McIntyre of Caldervale High played a lament as North Lanarkshire armed forces champion Councillor David Cullen laid a wreath.
The national two-minute silence was observed in homes across the country as well as at the Airdrie ceremony, including by socially-distanced members of the public paying their respects to those who served in the six-year conflict.
The 75th anniversary of VE Day was marked across Monklands with poignant commemorations and events which brought neighbours together even as they stay apart during the lockdown.
A two- minute silence was observed across Airdrie and Coatbridge, in common with the rest of the country, at 11am on Friday to mark 75 years since the end of World War II in Europe.
Glasses were also raised in homes and on doorsteps at 3pm in a toast to the heroes and to their sacrifices, courage and determination; while families held tea parties to mirror the celebrations which took place following the announcement of the end of the war.
Airdrie North councillor David Cullen, who is North Lanarkshire Council’s armed forces champion, led the local commemoration by laying a wreath at Airdrie’s war memorial, accompanied by the music of piper Amy McIntyre, a pupil at Caldervale High.
Army veteran Councillor Cullen said: “It was quite emotional to lay the wreath alone with just the lone piper – Amy did an excellent job and played Battle’s O’er.
“There were about 20 members of the public at the war memorial, including members of staff from Monklands Hospital, and all observing social distancing.
“It was a nice, dignified ceremony, especially given the circumstances, and showed that the people of North Lanarkshire were still commemorating VE Day even in the current climate.
“Maybe in August we can do something a bit more elaborate for VJ Day and have a combined event.”
Wreaths were also laid at North Lanarkshire’s HQ by chief executive Des Murray and by Provost Jean Jones in her home area of Kilsyth.
She said: “Under the current circumstances, it wasn’t possible to hold the sort of remembrance services we would have wished, but I’m proud to see how so many people in our communities have still taken the opportunity to mark this anniversary.”
VE Day was also marked with online events including a special service led by Reverend Robbie Hamilton of New Wellwynd parish church in Airdrie. Meanwhile, 20 neighbours in Cairnhill held their own “doorstep tea party”, complete with entertainment, decorations and the toast to the veterans.
The event for those on Cromarty Road was the brainchild of Elizabeth Sweeney, inspired by the community response to the weekly “clap for carers” and in honour of her late father, Thomas Hutchison, who was a prisoner of war in Poland.
Elizabeth said: “My father served with the Highland Light Infantry and was captured at Dunkirk in May 1940; he was marched from there to German prisoner of war camp Stalag VIII- B Lamsdorf and incarcerated until February 1945. There’s a museum on the site and I’d been due to go in March for a memorial service. The visit was cancelled but hopefully I can go there next year.
“We still have all his medals; we treasure them and were looking them out for VE Day.”
The Cairnhill commemoration saw neighbours raise a glass for the 3pm national toast.
Entertainment included live music, and dancer Sophie Wood, 11, performed her own routine choreographed to Somewhere Over The Rainbow; while residents decorated their gardens and windows with flags, bunting and rainbows.
Elizabeth added: “I had the idea to commemorate my dad and his wartime experiences; and with everyone out clapping for the NHS on Thursdays, it got me thinking we could do something in the street for VE Day.
“I put posters up encouraging everyone to take part in the toast and then have afternoon tea at their homes, complying with social distancing; and it was nice to see everybody together.”