FAMILIES across Trowbridge are being urged to organise their own Stay At Home street parties today (Friday May 8) to celebrate the 75th anniversary of VE Day.

They have been invited to put up red,white and blue bunting and unfurl their Union Jack flags to commemorate the historic event.

The call is being led by Rick Owen, honorary secretary of Trowbridge Branch of the Royal British Legion, which was forced to cancel scheduled events for Trowbridge Town Park in March.

Mr Owen said: “The Legion is inviting all its members to join together in encouraging people of all generations and communities to take part in the activities on Friday and pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of the entire Second World War generation.

“As society faces some of the most challenging times since of the Second World War, it is now more important than ever to unite in recognition of service to the nation, just as communities did 75 years ago.”

Mr Owen will be staging his own street party outside his home in Chirton Place, Trowbridge, with some of his immediate neighbours.

“We will be observing the social distancing regulations but hope to have our own pavement tea party with bunting, Union Jacks and a two-feet high Poppy.”

In Semington, villagers have planned their own Stay At Home street party from 12 noon to 3pm with music from the 1940s.

Organiser Vicky Bodman said: “We are encouraging everyone to wear red, white and blue, or dress up in 1940s style, and decorate their homes to celebrate and have a picnic at the front of their homes whilst observing social distancing.”

As people are no longer able to attend national and regional VE Day 75 commemorations or events due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the RBL nationally is playing a central role in the delivery of a range of remote activity for people to participate in from home.

Today’s schedule includes:

11am-11.02am – Two Minute Silence

11.15am-12 noon – The Royal British Legion VE75 Livestream

8pm-9.10pm – VE Day 75: The People’s Celebration, BBC One

9pm – national ‘We’ll Meet Again’ singalong.

This includes a VE Day 75 livestream, national moments of remembrance and thanksgiving and a learning pack for young people.

Mr Owen added: “People are invited to take part in the Silence in whatever way they feel appropriate be that standing at their window, stepping outside their home, whilst remaining distanced from others, or taking the opportunity for a quiet moment of reflection.”

Following the Silence the Legion is hosting a VE Day livestream, sharing stories and memories from those who served and sacrificed during the Second World War.The Legion is inviting people to grab a cup of tea and join them for the livestream as they bring the World War Two generation together with today’s generation to chat about their experiences.

Hosted by TV presenter Sonali Shah, the programme will feature contributions from social historian Julie Summers and cook and influencer Melissa Helmsley. The stream will be live from 11.15am on the Legion’s website rbl.org.uk/veday75.

To mark the 75th anniversary of VE day, the BBC, in partnership with the RBL, will honour and celebrate the World War Two Generation with an evening of memories and music from 8pm to 9.10pm.

It will feature people who remember the historic day in 1945, together with Britain’s favourite performers who will entertain with popular songs from the era.

In the finale at 9pm, the nation will unite for a very special rendition of Dame Vera Lynn’s famous wartime song We’ll Meet Again as we all give thanks to our veterans and remember our loved ones.

Lyrics are available on The Royal British Legion website https://www.rbl.org.uk/stories/ve-day-singalong

VE Day 75 Learning Packs designed for 7-14 year olds include first-hand accounts from the Second World War generation, veteran interviews and a range of activities to allow families to explore and commemorate VE Day 75 together.

People can follow the activity on social media using #VEDay75 and #VEDay75Live during the livestream.