Marking the occasion across the region
STREET parties and parades were part of the huge events that had been planned to mark VE Day across the country.
But the coronavirus lockdown has meant all the events have had to be cancelled for tomorrow’s event, which marks the end of the Second World War in Europe.
Families are now being encouraged to mark the important day by decorating their homes and having virtual events.
Here we have looked at the ways you can mark the occasion from your own home:
Newcastle
In Newcastle, besides the likes of Second World War-inspired activities, there are preparations being made to brighten up our day by illuminating the city’s iconic Tyne Bridge in a patriotic red, white and blue.
Families are being encouraged to make flags and decorations for their house and there will be a virtual toast to join in too, raising a glass to the war heroes at 3pm.
Newcastle City Council has worked with the likes of the library service to arrange events and activities so that city residents can mark the occasion as-one but from their own homes.
North Tyneside
Determined to mark the occasion, North Tyneside Council is asking people to decorate their gardens, hold a tea party, play music from the 1940s, set up games from the era in your garden like hopscotch, or sharing stories of your family’s connection to WW2 – and of course, observing the two minutes’ silence at 11am.
South Tyneside
People are being encouraged to take part in the National Toast that will be held at 3pm – the time Prime Minister Winston Churchill made an announcement on the radio that the war in Europe had come to an end.
The Town Hall will be lit red, white and blue alongside special flags flying high. South Tyneside Council says the area has always been a proud supporter of our armed forces and is asking that residents take part in a two-minute silence at 11am.
While we are apart, we can still celebrate together at home with an indoor picnic, afternoon tea,
drawings, paintings and window displays.
Northumberland
Residents are being encouraged to host a ‘Stay at Home Street Party’, marking the occasion by decorating their houses in red, white and blue and by having a picnic party with members of their own household, in order to adhere to lockdown rules.
To help plan your day there are lots of family activities and learning resources available online – with crosswords, word searches, colouring pictures, recipes, extracts from Churchill’s speeches, veteran interviews, lyrics to war songs and much more.
County Durham
To help residents mark the milestone, a special webpage has links to online exhibitions, history videos and ideas on how to hold a VE Day party at home.
On VE Day, shortly before the two minutes’ silence at 11am, people in County Durham can join together virtually for a recording of a bugler performing The Last Post.
Staff and volunteers at Durham
County Record Office (DCRO) and the DLI Collection have created online activities to help people find out more about this important period in history.
Durham County Council cares for the DLI Collection on behalf of the DLI Trustees, and both DCRO, in County Hall, and the DLI Collection, based at DLI Research and Study Centre in Spennymoor, were planning exhibitions to commemorate the end of the war.
The DLI Collection exhibition has been postponed until later in the year, and the team is now calling on residents of all ages to design triangles for celebratory bunting.
This will be displayed at the exhibition when it can go ahead.
Anyone who would like their design to be included, can send it to the team within a direct message on either Facebook or Twitter.
The DCRO exhibition, compiled by military historian Steve Shannon has been moved online until it is able to take place.
‘We have come through: Remembering VE Day 1945’ features photographs, newspaper articles and other first-hand accounts from the time.