The scene in Meneage Street, Helston on Flora Day in 1945. (Picture posted by the Helston History website and donated by the late Denis Williams).
Despite the lockdown, MP Derek Thomas is hoping that people across West Cornwall and on Scilly will take time to commemorate the 75th anniversary of VE Day in style.
Mr Thomas said: “Sadly, the coronavirus pandemic has put paid to a host of plans both nationally and locally to remember this historic day which paved the way for an unprecedented period of peace in Europe.
“However, the bank holiday on Friday offers us all a great opportunity to remember the sacrifices made by that generation and to try to appreciate the feelings they must have been going through after six years of conflict.”
In West Cornwall, people in Helston were able to celebrate by taking part in what must have been a very special Flora Day and the Cornishman newspaper report from May 1945 said that while the Union Jack was draped everywhere in Penzance, so too were the flags of the ‘Dominions and United Nations’.
Despite the lockdown, Mr Thomas says there are plenty of opportunities to get involved.
“Social media provides a great way for people to share their Second World War stories, family histories and messages of remembrance using #VEDay75 and, while we can’t enjoy the sort of street parties which took place across the country 75 years ago, social distancing parties are being organised.
“The BBC website has some great ideas for party food at https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/collections/street_party… while https://ve-vjday75.gov.uk/get-involved/ also has a number of recipes as well as a wide range of free resources, such as bunting, games and a huge amount of educational but fun stuff for children.”
Across the nation, a two minute silence will be observed at 11am and the Queen will give a televised speech at 9pm, the same time that her father, King George VI, made a radio address in 1945 to officially announce the end of the war.
