THE ROYAL British Legion has issued a rallying call for residents to mark the anniversary of VE Day by organising events to be held in their communities.
The organisation has made a number of suggestions of events people can put on to remember the arrival of peacetime after the Second World War.
Among them are 1940s style tea dances, complete with bunting and vintage dress or a community singalong of wartime songs to take people back to the era.
They suggest communities could adopt an ‘Eat for Victory’ theme, using ration recipes to create the food of the time for the special event or hold a fancy dress competition with a 1940s theme.
Participants could paint union flags on children’s and adult’s faces and try to recreate some of the hairstyles of the time.
The events will recognise and salute the extraordinary role those living in the 1940s played in such an important part of our nation’s history.
The celebrations will reflect the national events taking place in London where Second World War veterans are invited to attend as the nation’s VIPs.
On May 10, there will a Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey, followed by a parade from the Abbey to Horse Guards Parade and into St James’s Park, where the Legion will host a lunch reception for the veterans.
The project is being led by the Royal British Legion which is working with the Government to mark the anniversary.
And the organisation hopes as many community halls, public spaces and homes will be used to recreate the celebrations of 70 years ago.
David Lowe, The Royal British Legion’s area manager for the South West Midlands, said: “We are honoured to play our part in helping the nation mark 70 years since the end of the Second World War in Europe.
“The Legion has a responsibility to help the memories of those of who have fought and died in our nation’s Armed Forces live on for future generations.
“The commemoration of this conflict, still in living memory, gives us the opportunity to salute the Second World War generation.
“We hope all communities will use the VE Day 70 commemorations to thank them and celebrate the role they played in our nation’s history.”
Visit www.veday.org.uk or www.gov.uk/veday7 for more on how to organise events or commemorations already planned for the area.
