Celebrate VE Day at home this year

VE Day, or Victory in Europe Day, took place on 8 May 1945 and saw people celebrate peace in Europe after years of conflict.

This year is particularly special, as it’s the 75th Anniversary of this historic moment in time.

Celebrating VE Day at home

We have created a special VE Day at home pack to help residents of all ages celebrate and mark the 75th anniversary of this historic moment in time.

With social distancing measures still in place, the pack contains simple advice and suggestions on how to celebrate at home on Friday 8 May.

The pack also contains themed recipe ideas, a World War II/VE Day quiz and wordsearch, some suggested e-reading materials from our library service, craft ideas on how to make bunting and paperchains, 1940s-inspired games and songs to sing to keep the family entertained.

Read more and download the VE Day pack

Message from the Wiltshire and Swindon Local Resilience Forum

This Friday marks the 75th anniversary of VE Day, but we will all have to celebrate this milestone in a different way this year.

Due to the current Government restrictions in place to stop the spread of Coronavirus, each of us have to make changes to our daily life – this also includes the way we can celebrate VE Day.

The Wiltshire and Swindon Local Resilience Forum ask you to commemorate within your home and join in celebrations virtually. That way, you are still protecting the NHS and saving lives.

Read the letter in full

National activities to celebrate VE Day

The Royal British Legion is playing a central role in the delivery of a range of remote activities, including:

• A VE Day 75 livestream at 11.15am
• National moments of Remembrance and thanksgiving, including a Two Minute Silence at 11am
• A UK-wide singalong to Vera Lynn’s ‘We’ll Meet Again at 9pm
• A VE Day learning pack for children aged 7-14 years
• An evening of memories and music in partnership with the BBC from 8pm on BBC One
• The Queen addressing the nation at 9pm

More info on what the Royal British Legion have planned

What are you doing to celebrate VE Day?

If you have children, why not encourage them to design their own tribute to celebrate VE Day?

Above is a picture designed by a seven-year-old pupil from Trowbridge, who combined the sacrifices made by the soldiers in World War II, with those being made by our brave NHS workers today.

Maybe you’re decorating your house red, white and blue for the day? Or baking some VE Day inspired goodies?

Whatever you’re doing, we would love to hear about it.

Tag us in your posts on social media:

@wiltscouncil on Twitter
Our Wiltshire on Facebook
#VEDayWilts

VE Day celebrations from years gone by

Anyone feeling nostalgic?

The first picture is of impromptu dancing taking place at the Guildhall in Salisbury in 1945 to celebrate victory in Europe.

The second picture is a poster from Westbury Urban District Council in 1945 advertising a meeting to plan for celebrations.