Councils across the UK will be at the heart of community celebrations and commemoration events for the 80th anniversary of VE Day - a significant moment in our history.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has confirmed a full week's worth of events, from community events taking place on the bank holiday, Monday 5 May to national commemorations on Thursday 8 May.
VE Day is a significant occasion for our nation and the 80th anniversary gives us a unique opportunity to bring people together to reflect on, and to celebrate our shared history.
Most councils have already waived street closure fees and will be organising local events that bring together their diverse communities. But with a week to go to VE Day, there is still time for councils to join forces with the local community to support and promote community events.
The /Together Coalition is encouraging councils to promote and host local celebrations and festivities. There's no right or wrong way to mark the occasion, whether it is waiving street fees for households to host street parties, or promoting picnics and bbq's in a local park, or by bringing together local stakeholders at monuments related to the Second World War.
Some examples of events taking place include:
• Manchester City Council confirmed there will be more than 20 street parties taking place, with Didsbury and Gorton hosting the most celebrations.
• Hull City Council are hosting a street party in East Park and will provide Second World War veterans that attend with a specially commissioned commemorative pin badge. The event will see 1940's themed activities with music and food.
• Southend County Council will be hosting a music in the park event with local historians, businesses and community groups expected to attend a fun-filled Second World War themed celebration.
The /Together Coalition, working in partnership with DCMS, launched the Great British Food Festival in April which aims to get everyone involved with community celebrations. Last month, it joined forces with Manchester City Council and Mayor Andy Burnham to bring together communities in Moss Side.
A core part of its campaign is the VE Mail initiative which creates lasting connections between school children and the few surviving Second World War veterans via letter writing. More than 1,300 schools and youth organisations, many through the local council, have been involved which equates to more than 50,000 children.
As well as its historic importance, the anniversary of VE day has the potential to help foster a contemporary sense of unity, build commitment to shared values and bring communities together. VE Day is perhaps the most formative single moment in shaping the collective image we have of ourselves as people and as nations. That is why we're encouraging all communities to come together and celebrate our shared history.
It is also a moment to acknowledge the contribution of diverse communities and the Commonwealth played a significant role in the war efforts when country and countries across the Commonwealth came together to take on fascism and defend democracy
This year's anniversary could be the last major anniversary when veterans will be here to share their first hand accounts of what happened and the lessons learned.
The Great British Food Festival will bring together residents, our armed forces, veterans, and visitors to celebrate our rich culinary and cultural history, whilst also honouring the sacrifices and triumphs of the nation's veterans during the Second World War.
We are also encouraging councils to make it inclusive by inviting faith groups and community leaders and sharing stories of veterans from diverse communities.
Councils can also make use of VE Day resources including bunting templates and activity sheets available on the Government's website as well as on the Together website. And use #VE80 on social media to promote their plans.
So with just a few days to go, there is plenty councils can do to ensure the legacy of VE Day and its veterans live on in our communities.
Jo Blackman, Councils Outreach. Together
