Oxfordshire County Council is to mark the
historical milestone of Victory in Europe Day on 8th May with a series
of video tributes from key people across the county.
Despite the restrictions of the lockdown,
this remains an important moment for the nation and the tributes will
begin with a video message online from Oxfordshire’s Lord Lieutenant Tim
Stevenson at 2.50pm.
On 8th May 1945, Britain and its allies
celebrated the defeat of Nazi Germany and the end of Hitler's
aggression. This formally recognised the end of the Second
World War in Europe and became known as Victory in Europe (VE) Day.
Plans to celebrate the 75th anniversary
of VE Day have been severely impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic with
events either cancelled or postponed.
However, 8th May 2020 remains a Bank
Holiday and many will participate in a planned national toast to the
Heroes of World War Two at 3pm from the safety of our own homes.
Take part by raising a glass, cheering
and clapping on your doorsteps and offer your tribute; The
official toast is: "To those who gave so much, we thank you."
Other parts of Oxfordshire are also
celebrating. In Oxford, The Lord Mayor Councillor Craig Simmons will
start the VE Day celebrations at 11am for the nation’s two-minute
silence from his doorstep. At 3pm he will raise a toast to the
nation.
Cllr Andrew McHugh as the military
champion for Cherwell District Council has recorded a message to
celebrate VE Day which will feature on our Facebook page.
South Oxfordshire and Vale of the White
Horse district councils are running a campaign to encourage staff,
councillors and residents to get creative: making red, white and/or
blue cakes, buns or muffins, dress their houses/pets/selves up to
celebrate the end of the conflict – and to get residents to join in the
government’s garden party, and submit to us their photos on social
media, which will be shared in a big photo montage. Make your
submissions to: communications@southandvale.gov.uk
Witney Town Council also has a series of
virtual events including a concert by Voicebox Choir who were due to
have performed live in Witney Market Square. Further information here: http://www.witney-tc.gov.uk/news/witney-plans-for-a-virtual-ve-day-75-commemoration/.
Schedule: VE Day 75 8th May 2020
11am - 2 minutes silence for a national moment of remembrance
11.15am - Join the Royal British Legion VE Day Livestream
2.50pm – Watch Oxfordshire’s Lord Lieutenant’s message on our Facebook page: https://tinyurl.com/y98mdzsu
6.00pm: Christchurch Cathedral Oxford: listen to a VE Day Evensong from this historic place of worship: https://www.chch.ox.ac.uk/oxfords-cathedral/online-worship
9pm - Her Majesty The Queen will send a
message to the nation on BBC One, at 9pm, the same time her father, King
George VI, gave a radio address in 1945.
Followed by a national singalong of
Dame Vera Lynn's We'll Meet Again.Open your doors and join in with this
national moment of celebration.
9-10th May: Oxfordshire County Council continues VE Day 75:
Keep following the 75th
anniversary as our Facebook page features video messages from
Oxfordshire’s council leaders as well as contributions from active duty
personnel in the Royal Air Force and Army across Oxfordshire. The videos
will be uploaded across both days and can be watched at: https://tinyurl.com/y98mdzsu
We will also be presenting a range of
photos on our Oxfordshire County Council Twitter account that residents
have submitted to us of locations across Oxfordshire that played a part
in World War Two. Follow us @OxfordshireCC
Stay Safe, Stay at Home:
Please do not to travel or hold any
gatherings that go against the stay home rules. Everyone must stay at
home, protect the NHS and save lives. www.gov.uk/coronavirus
The best way for everyone to protect
themselves and others from illness is to stay at home. If you are
leaving your home for exercise once a day, please stay local and use
open spaces near to your home.
Further resources:
Poster/bunting template
Learning resources