VE Day “celebrations”

Thats IDS who says a family can live on £7 a day when he spends £50 or more on Breakfast! Who believes a word he says.

Iam; you know I'd have been happy with Glenn Miller or forties music playing; but being subjected to hours of karaoke with music I can't stand was awful. And, thinking about it, I'd forgotten that everyone was meant to stay in their own front garden given that all my neighbours ended up in one small garden. There will be an increase in infection rates over the coming weeks. IDS says we should do as we like because the British public are so sensible, but I'm not seeing a lot of that.

The need to mark this occasion has been important this year, as there are some people around who were there at the time - that will not be the case for the centenary.

No noisy get togethers round here. Many streets had neighbours sitting at the front of their houses, with small tables set for afternoon tea (and bottles of fizz). My daughters both live in quiet streets where informal impromptu get togethers, socially distanced of course, took place. BBQ's, sandwiches, cakes, fizz, tea etc all shared. We stayed in our own back garden because I'm shielded, otherwise we'd have joined our neighbours across the road. there was an American flag on their US vintage jeep, others had Union flags, and everyone seemed to be playing Glen Miller's in the mood. What's not to like?

I was called an old misery for saying “celebrations” shouldn’t be encouraged. 2 minutes silence, church bells, Queens address all fine. But boozy street parties , picnics, bunting , singalongs were bound to lead to excess by some. I bet there is a rise in death rates now. We are certainly leading the way in those.

I sat in the sun in my garden and remembered that day in 1945 when, even as a small child, I could share the relief of my parents and relatives. We were fortunate - many of the fathers in our community were in reserved occupations, like my dad, in a strategically important explosives factory, but the expectation that it would be bombed stayed with families throughout the war.
I can't accept that yesterday was a time to let hair down as some appear to have done. Thankfully, here, in my quiet back garden, I could hear no sound of rowdy celebration, leaving me to my memories.

No celebrations in our street.
Reading FB last night showed that a lot of parties descended into drunkeness and far too close proximity, people getting up and singing a song using the same microphone.
I am not surprised we have such a high infection rate ( highest outside of London)

On my daily walk round the village yesterday, many houses had small tables in the garden right by the footpath with photos of relatives who had been combatants, or were killed or injured, and a brief text telling their story. It was all very restrained and tasteful.

the footage of crammed streets blocked off by bins,no masks or gloves and lots of alcohol was horrifying...even the reporter on Sky couldn't believe what he was seeing in Corsham ..apparently repeated across England..wait for CV spike and then the covidiots will say but the newspapers said lockdown was ending.Couldn't make it up !

All quietish here; a gathering of neighbours on the street, each bringing their own nibbles and beverage of choice and, as DH said, it's never been about a celebration of war, it's a celebration of peace. A very pleasant afternoon and a relief to see the neighbours well, despite their worries about some elderly parents and relatives.

The morning service, which we were unable to attend, was a solemn remembrance.

Just an excuse "for some" to have a wild, noisy party.

As op said , we had little notes pushed through our doors earlier in the week(live on a modern small housing estate)

It was asking people to bring a chair to their front door with a snack tray and enjoy a bit of neighbourly get together(at a distance)

So all was ok from what I saw(I didn't join in as I had been working and just wanted to chill) all sat nicely chatting, I think they did move into the car park so they were sort of all in a big circle) and all was pleasant and dignified.

But!! then later on it started further up the estate. Loud music(not war time but pop music) then the screaming.laughter started which got louder as the minutes ticked by, presume there was a bbq somewhere and drink fueled people,one woman's screaches just got louder and louder.

In the end I put my earplugs in and went to bed, woke about 2 had a listen and all was quiet, whether they had been told to shut up or all gone home I have no idea.

There's always the same kind of people spoil it, and although I didn't see them I'm sure social distancing went out the window.

I thought the Queen’s speech hit just the right note of remembrance, nostalgia, thankfulness and hope.

I think it was right to celebrate/remember/ have thoughts on
( whichever you like) VE Day, 75 years ago, in whatever way we all wanted to do it, noisily or quietly.
Here are some cakes my DGC made ?

I sat in my front garden with my tea. No one else did but I chatted to several neighbours who were passing by or gardening.

I have been conflicted all day - and more than a little tearful.

Where is the 'peace' that was so hard won? All day that question has been nagging me. Since the end of World War II, there have been 7,190 UK armed forces personnel who have died as a result of military operations - and one of those statistics was a vibrant, funny, witty, 26 year old who was a son, a brother, a beloved husband - and a father to my newly born grandson. Every moment of the day I have been conscious of the many like him, the ones who didn't come home.

At the same time I understand the desire to commemorate the beginning of the end of one of the most painful periods in history and to imagine the relief families felt when finally they could let themselves believe that their loved ones would come home, if they weren't already.

I do believe that fostering a warm community spirit - especially in the current circumstances - is beneficial, but today I just couldn't bring myself to take part in any of the planned activities. I went instead to sit (socially distanced) in the garden of my parents-in-law's home and listened to them tell me their memories of the war and VE Day.

To be fair, the children in the street had a fun day, which is nice for them. But a lot of my neighbours are very high risk and everyone was far too close to each other.

Sad to reflect how many of the residents of Care Homes would have been remembering the actual VE Day themselves had they been remembered when this virus struck.

How many ‘heroes’ passed away unnoticed and unsung recently I wonder?

We also had a lovely afternoon chatting over the front wall to lots of neighbours. Many wore red, white and blue clothes, as did I. Many were over 80, and enjoyed talking about the original VE Day.

What a shame that your day has been spoiled Maybee. It's been much more sedate and pleasant in our neighbourhood today. Everyone stood on the doorstep at 11 o'clock for the 2 minutes silence and then at 2 o'clock families pitched up their picnic tables and chairs on the front lawns. Neighbours chatted with each other, and passers by, at safe distances and the atmosphere was lovely and friendly. Some houses had their Amazon Echo or Alexa playing 1940s music and we all listened to Churchill's speech. It's been a lovely friendly day and I've chatted to neighbours I've never had the chance to speak to before. Very glad we took part in it.

Bread and circuses?
A nice distraction I suppose.

We've had music blaring away outside all day and now there's karaoke [I assume everyone is using the same microphone ]. I've so enjoyed gardening in the sunshine during lockdown with just the sound of the birds singing. People sitting close to each other; certainly not 6 feet apart. There's bound to be an increase in infection rates over the coming fortnight. I really don't see what Katy Perry has got to do with WWII.....

ps the old lady we visit kept talking about being in the WAAF in WW2. My friend, late 60s , didnt know what the WAAF was.

I was born in 1936 and my Dad was away in the Navy for most of WW2. We lived with my grandparents and I have many memories of those years.
But I can't remember him returning, or VE day parties, or VJ day.
I've been watching this series on BBC iplayerwhich is very good and brought back some memories:
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b05wdp6g/britains-greatest-generation-3-fight-for-freedom
Eldest daughter, now aged 53, rang to say they were watching it and they had no idea that all this had happened.

I've made scones and a war recipe cake and put up some bunting. We will have tea and scones in the garden and remember my dad (and those like him) away for long years serving his country and my mum who waited and worried. We mustn't forget what they experienced and always celebrate the value of peace.

To me WWII was a war against Nazism and fascism and it horrifies me that right wing organisations seem to be gaining popularity again; we must always be on our guard against that. It must have been wonderful 75 years ago; like a lot of people of my age I so wish I'd asked my mum more about the war years. Books like Can Any Mother Help Me and Melvyn Braggs Speak for England can tell me what life was like back then but I so wish I knew more about my mum's life during the war .