A busy VE Day in store for West Norfolk despite the coronavirus lockdown
Despite official celebrations being cancelled due to the coronavirus, the public are still planning to mark the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day today.
Households and businesses across the region will be remembering when Germany surrendered unconditionally to the Allies at the end of the Second World War.
West Norfolk mayor Geoff Hipperson will ‘virtually’ visit the Queen Elizabeth Hospital through a video call for the occasion.
He will be joining hospital staff just before 3pm to toast the nation's war heroes for what he described as one of the most significant dates in history.
Mr Hipperson said: “This gives us an opportunity to remember the sacrifices made and the hardships endured. I will be joining as many of you as I can at your parties electronically or virtually if the technology holds together.”
Professor Steve Barnett, chairman of the hospital, said: “We are delighted that the QEH will play such a central part in Friday’s VE Day celebrations as an organisation that is very much at the heart of the local community in West Norfolk.
“As a Trust, we are huge supporters of those who have served in the Armed Forces. We are in the process of setting up an Armed Forces Network of staff and are working to become a Veteran’s Aware Hospital."
The QEH is asking those with forces connections to get in touch with the hospital at armedforcesnetwork@qehkl.nhs.uk.
Elsewhere in West Norfolk, a Stay at Home street party will be taking place in Feltwell, including a competition for the best decorated window or house.
Wartime era music will be played in the village throughout the afternoon, before a family disco and broadcasting of the The Queen and national singing of Dame Vera Lynn’s classic, We’ll Meet Again, in the evening.
The restaurant at Feltwell Golf Course is providing a delivered Afternoon Tea service at £10 per head.
Resident Wendy Mayes of the St Nicholas Estate Events Team said: "We are hosting a non-social street party from our cul-de-sac in Feltwell, playing war time songs, in the hope that most of Feltwell will hear it.
"This is being done by our resident local DJ, which he has also been doing for the past few weeks to brighten up everyone's weekend."
Celebrations are also being planned for residents living on Windsor Road and other areas of Lynn with the Live and Let Live pub arranging for deliveries of food to be sent out for example.
Organiser Rosina Woods said: “My plan is to get a drink, bunting, flags, afternoon tea to all the locals and residents of Windsor Road.
“This is for everyone to celebrate in their own gardens, back yard, lounges. All we’re asking is for everyone to post pictures on our Facebook page.”
Red and white bunting has been put up in Swaffham town centre including on the Buttercross in the Market Place.
Swaffham Town Council has a full programme of activities and resources for people to follow from home including a 'VE Day 75 toolkit', Spotify playlist and a 'home pack' from English Heritage.
Both Swaffham Parish Church and Swaffham Methodist Church will be streaming live services on Sunday for people to watch online.
Meanwhile, the Market Cross Café in the town has been delivering special VE Day afternoon teas for residents.
The café sent out a message to customers which said: “We never expected so many of you and we are completely grateful for each and every one of you.”
A Stay at Home Street Party will also be taking place in Swaffham with the White Hart pub delivering special hampers. A window decoration competition for local businesses to take part in is also being held.
Elsewhere, Ryston resident Mark Thomas has used recycled materials for two VE Day designs located outside Ryston Church and the Church of St Mary the Virgin in Bexwell.
He said: “The poppies are made from recycled plastic bottles and the base is made from old palettes which my neighbour gave to me.
“We were going to have big celebrations here for VE Day so it is such a shame they have been cancelled.”
Among the things that Mr Thomas had arranged for Bexwell was an American Second World War jeep until the coronavirus disrupted such plans.
His grandchildren helped to paint the poppies for his church displays before the lockdown.
Speaking on behalf of Ryston Church, Jo Shipp said: “Whilst the VE celebrations cannot be celebrated as we would like, Mark has done the church and the parish of Ryston proud to once again make and erect such an amazing memorial, and we would all like to thank him very much for this.”
It is not the first time Mr Thomas has used his creative talents for Ryston Church. Last year, he constructed an Armistice memorial using various recycled objects such as cannon shells, an old clock, a calendar, flag and ammunition boxes.
Councillor Elizabeth Nockolds, deputy leader of West Norfolk Council and cabinet member for Culture, Heritage and Health, said: “It is disappointing that not only us, but the whole country has had to put our event plans on hold for VE Day. But we felt we couldn’t let the day go past without having some sort of celebration in commemoration of this momentous occasion.
“So many people have come forward to help put our virtual plans together and we are very grateful to them all. We have a talk from True’s Yard and a photo gallery. We have memories from Dot Taylor a Stories of Lynn Volunteer. We have archive footage of a performance from Dame Myra Hess, who played lunchtime concerts during the war, from King’s Lynn Festival.
"Major Swing and Noise and Chance School of Dance have supplied online dance classes. The King’s Lynn & District RAFA assisted with the development of the ration books and the plane spotting quiz. There are resources from Stories of Lynn including making paper hats and table decorations in a make do and mend style, and of course some 1940s recipes.
“There is plenty for everyone to do whether you are alone or with family.”
For 89-year-old South Wootton resident Mary Lyon, VE Day also coincides with her birthday. She recalled being taken to the cinema to see Meet Me in St Louis on May 8, 1945 at the age of 14.
Mrs Lyon, who grew up in Dorset before moving to Lynn when she was 25, said: “Where we lived, we did not have street parties so going to the pictures was a treat. There were lots of things we could not do during the war but we did not go short of food.”
She added that Prime Minister of the time, Winston Churchill, was "the right man at the right time" to lead the nation through the war. Look out for an extended interview with Mrs Lyon on the Lynn News website later today.
