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Banbury Marks VE Day 75th anniversary
10/05/2020
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.
Social distancing didn’t stop people joining in
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.
Celebratory patriotic cup cakes
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.
A wreath was laid at the Alcan Memorial Garden
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.
People proudly decorated their houses
Patriotic bunting on display
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.
Stay-at-home street parties were a huge success
Banbury FM’s Bob Dainty plays war time tunes for his neighbours
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam