GLASS ACT, JOAN
A GRATEFUL nation united to celebrate the heroes of the Second World War yesterday with street parties, smiles and miles of bunting.
Rather like 75 years ago, yesterday’s VE Day commemorative extravaganzas captured the spirit of make do and mend, with communities determined to enjoy themselves amid the pandemic – albeit keeping a safe distance.
Millions of households did their best to show their appreciation by putting up colourful bunting, flying Union flags and dressing up to hold their own 1940s tea parties.
Families living in Knowle, Bristol, came together for a social distance street party, while children waving Union flags lined the streets in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, to celebrate.
There was also a patriotic feeling in the South Wales Valleys where families in Gelli, Rhondda, brought a blast of colour by decking the streets in red, white and blue and sitting outside their front doors to honour the sacrifice of so many. Some families went the extra mile and dressed in wartime clothing and even made wartime ration food favourites like spam hash and homity pie, a traditional British open vegetable pie containing potatoes, onions and leeks.
It was a culinary homage to an extraordinary generation who lived through this country’s darkest days.
At 3pm, in a nod to the weekly Clap for the NHS Heroes, the country raised a toast to those who served Britain during her hour of need.
In London, Golden Globe-winning actress Joan Collins, 86, led The Nation’s Toast to the Heroes of the Second World War on behalf of all women. From the balcony of her apartment in central London, she said: “They gave so much to us, now we give thanks to them.”