VE Day events on hold
A massive rock which was to be shipped from Russia to Scotland in time for VE Day celebrations will have to wait for better times.
The giant boulder was picked out to form a memorial to a group of Russian airman who were based at Errol during WWII. But COVID-19 has meant the unveiling of this and another new war memorial in Perthshire have been postponed.
All major events to commemorate the 75th anniversary of VE Day on May 8 have been put on hold.
The rare crimson-coloured Shoksha stone was to travel to Scotland using the same route as the Arctic convoys before being placed in the grounds of Errol Parish Church.
It was hoped this would give Russians a permanent site for the annual commemoration of the end of the conflict.
Perth’s first dedicated war memorial was also due to be unveiled at St John’s Kirk on May 10.
A proposal by the Association of Perth Veterans (APV) was approved in March but, like the Errol stone, ceremonial activities are off for now.
This new tribute would be the first dedicated marker to commemorate all veterans in the Fair City. Currently services are held at Mercat Cross, outside St John’s Shopping Centre.
Despite the setbacks caused by the coronavirus, organisers are determined that both tributes will be unveiled at a later date and the 75th VE Day will be marked in the future.
Jim Valentine, Perth and Kinross Council depute chief executive, said: “Unfortunately, the coronavirus outbreak means events commemorating the 75th anniversary of VE Day across the country have been postponed, including our planned church service and the unveiling of the Association of Perth Veterans’ new war memorial due to take place afterwards.
“We recognise the enormous significance of the anniversary and are sure many people will mark the occasion in their own way at home.
“We are currently considering how the occasion could be marked at a future date.”
Russian author Anna Belorusova uncovered the story of three Russian airmen who died in a plane crash at Fearnan on Loch Tay. They were stationed at Errol at the time of the disaster.
Anna believes the stone, when it is finally laid at Errol Parish Church will be a symbol of global togetherness.
She said: “Everybody involved
– and there are many of us in both Scotland and in Russia – were saddened by the inevitable postponement of the shipping of the stone to Scotland due to the impact of the pandemic.
“However, here in Russia we are continuing to work on the project.
“We all wanted the Errol Stone to be a fitting tribute to the World War II heroes, but now it has also become a symbol of people’s togetherness and fortitude in difficult times.
“This is just a delay, and we very much look forward to our joint celebration when better days come, and we can all safely meet again.”