On VE (Victory in Europe) Day in 1945, millions took to the streets to celebrate peace after years of devastating war, and Friday 8 May 2020 marks 75 years since Nazi Germany's formal surrender at the end of the Second World War.  

During the COVID 19 pandemic it is not possible to hold events in our community to commemorate the anniversary but, it is still possible to pay tribute to those who served, to share our memories and to commemorate peace in Europe.  WW2 continued in the East until VJ (Victory in Japan) Day on 14 August 1945 with the formal signing ceremony taking place 2 September 1945. 

Making marlborough Memories

There are a number of events taking place across the country to mark VE 75.  Here in Marlborough we're creating an "At Home" album and invite you to contribute to it, providing a way for us to share our memories while we're physically apart and also to provide a lasting record that we can look back on in years to come.

Do you have mementos or family photographs from VE Day?  Are you joining BBC Radio Wiltshire’s Great British Bunting campaign? Would your children would like to create a drawing, art project or poem for us to share?  Do you have any 'at home' activities planned for the day?

Please email us with any photos or other material (before, on or after the day)  and we'll add them to the album, or you can post them to our Facebook page and we'll upload them from there.  Our email address is enquiries@marlborough-tc.gov.uk .  The album will be live early next week.

Timetable - Friday 8 May 2020

11:00 - Two minute silence

11:15 - Royal British Legion (RBL) livestream

14:45 - BBC One: Winston Churchill's Announcement of Victory

18:55 - A Cry for Peace (nationwide, including our own Town Crier)

20:00 - BBC One and RBL evening of memories and and music "The People's Celebration"

21:00 - Address by HM Queen Elizabeth II
            UK Wide sing-along to Dame Vera Lynn's "We'll Meet Again"

Links

Royal British Legion page with more information and details of events at https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/remembrance/remembrance-events/ve-day-75

Wiltshire Council - has created a pack for families which contains ideas for how to mark the day at home, along with learning material, recipes, quizzes, craft ideas and more : http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/news/articles/ve-day-toolkit

BBC Radio Wiltshire's Great British Bunting - create some bunting and hang it in your window : https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4TrqYDyf4PMdLypxzyTwGDg/great-british-bunting

Marlborough.News article about VE Day in Marlborough in 1945: https://marlborough.news/news/ve-day-1945-in-marlborough-processions-street-parties-lemonade-and-jam-sandwiches-bonfires-and-more/

BBC events on 8 May : https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2020/75-anniversary-ve-day