Banbury Marks VE Day 75th anniversary

North Oxfordshire refuses to let coronavirus restrictions stop the anniversary of VE Day being marked

During the Second World War Winston Churchill said, “never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never”.   That same war time determination shon through in Banbury on Friday as people stepped up to the challenge of marking the 75th anniversary of VE day, whilst following the restrictions currently in place due to coronavirus.

Banbury folk refused to allow COVID-19 to stop the occasion being suitably marked.  In roads around the town and in surrounding villages communities worked together to display flags and bunting and to come together for stay-at-home street parties – all within the current social distancing rules.

Early on Friday morning Banbury Armed Forces Veterans, James Alexander (R.E.M.E), Chris Smithson (R.Sigs) and Bruce Lornie (R.E.M.E) laid a wreath at the Alcan Memorial Garden.   The garden is today part of the Amazon site where all three veterans work.   They are pictured following site rules on social distancing and wearing mandatory Personal Protective Equipment.

Alcan played a major part in the war effort and produced rolled sheet aluminium for WWII fighter planes.   The memorial garden remains a lasting reminder and tribute to those that used to work at the site and those who served and the many who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Around the area, Union Jack flags were placed on display and patriotic bunting was strung around houses and gardens.   Communities came together to mark the occasion with stay-at-home street parties with people setting up tables and chairs outside their houses and raising a glass with their neighbours to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day.

 

---

Published: 10/05/2020 05:37pm by Banbury FM Newsteam

---