VE Day celebration of the end of the war in Europe (8th of May actual day)but today is the day of party's etc.
We have decorations up, not planning to dress up in 1945 clothing.
Not sure how many people will do anything , but I just wanted to say thank you for all the people who livid through that period there strength was remarkable.

Also thank you for all who have and still serve to help make us safe
Big hugs to you all

pureclaret wrote: ↑

Mon May 05, 2025 9:30 am

VE Day celebration of the end of the war in Europe (8th of May actual day)but today is the day of party's etc.
We have decorations up, not planning to dress up in 1945 clothing.
Not sure how many people will do anything , but I just wanted to say thank you for all the people who livid through that period there strength was remarkable.

Also thank you for all who have and still serve to help make us safe
Big hugs to you all

Well said

We must never forget, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

The government has said pubs can stay open late on Thursday. Shame we’re all at work on Friday. Out of touch.

karatekid wrote: ↑

Mon May 05, 2025 3:52 pm

The government has said pubs can stay open late on Thursday. Shame we’re all at work on Friday. Out of touch.

Is it not good that they don't move remembrance events like this just so people can have a beer?

They could have moved the bank holiday to Friday. Even Russia has a public holiday every year on VE Day. Albeit it’s the day after ours.

Burnley’s promotion parade is on a Tuesday night.

Remembrance Sunday.

The main celebrations are going on today.

Can’t believe a well intentioned thread is descending into a moanfest.

My Dad told me that on May the 8th 1945 he allowed several members of the team he was assigned to go into the village that they were near for a pint they were gone 20 mins came back, and unfortunatly a superior Officer arrived and he was demoted due to the fact that the War had not yet ended and did not fully finish officailly until September 0f that year.

The idea of the VE celebration is to remember those who came home, those at home and the ones who would never come home not to go out and get ****** , the pubs staying open later is to give people working a chance to get a drink

Quite correct mate. X

Kiddrow Lane on Sunday.

I think a lot of people quietly remember today, even if they don’t hang bunting or wear the gear. It’s good to take a moment to just appreciate the sacrifices made, back then and even now by those in uniform

It's impossible for those of us who've never been in the armed forces to begin to comprehend what fighting in a war is like.

The Nazis and the Japanese were evil of that there is no doubt. But they were generally excellent soldiers who fought to the bitter end.

The eleven months it took from D-Day to VE Day saw some incredibly fierce battles. The Nazis lost the beaches but didn't yield an inch of Normandy without shedding blood.

The Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes was particularly gruesome.

I spent the back end of last week in Amsterdam which was liberated by the British and the Canadians. After five years of Nazi rule (most of) the Dutch were damn glad to see the Allied forces arrive to bring an end to their misery.

ecc wrote: ↑

Tue May 06, 2025 12:07 pm

I spent the back end of last week in Amsterdam which was liberated by the British and the Canadians. After five years of Nazi rule (most of) the Dutch were damn glad to see the Allied forces arrive to bring an end to their misery.

1 in 20 of the Dutch population were investigated for collaboration.

The Dutch government published all the names earlier this year.

As I said, most of the Dutch were happy to see the Allies arrive.

Of course there were collaborators in all the occupied countries.

Taking part in a big event tomorrow. Looking forward to it as my late dad was a "guest" of the Japanese for 3 yrs after the capitulation of Singapore. A poignant day ahead

clitheroeclaret3 wrote: ↑

Wed May 07, 2025 6:33 pm

Taking part in a big event tomorrow. Looking forward to it as my late dad was a "guest" of the Japanese for 3 yrs after the capitulation of Singapore. A poignant day ahead

Im quite sure guest of the Japenese was not a nice time at all, when did he get released ?( I believe the Japenese kept going until September 1945)

Im sure the memory of your Dad is a precious thing and should never be forgotten.I my self lost my Dad a few years ago he was 99 and was a D-Day vet.

A few years ago 75 th aniversary of D_Day he was asked to go to France as part of the service of remembrance but at the time he was not well enough.
How ever the organisation sent him details of a celebration box if he applied, I did so on his behalf and he got a bottle of whiskey (2 shot bottle ) and a bottle of port same size a box of biscuits and a information pack on what was to happen and a glass to drink from,not much but a nice touch. The reason for me telling you this is that the Gentleman I spoke to sent a box to my Dad but for him to give to me . This box is called the ''Not Forgotten''
It is an charity organisation that supports any serving personnel who are wounded, injured or sick and any veteran with a disability, illness or infirmity, whatever the cause and whenever it arose. In the box was a special mug a CD of the music of 1945 a hand towel with Not Forgotten on it, a pin badge a booklet of games words and things to do in the 1940s 2 more bottles as before a rubber wrist band with NF on it and a few other bits, My Dad gave me the box after he had taken the bottles and biscuits check bugger. I have not attended any of the events but have sent contributions to them,its worth looking at and some events are held near us.
I know this week we have been cheering on our Turfmoor heroes . but in comparison to what our Fathers did and suffered they are not any where near heroes.

Tome the men and woman who serve to keep us safe deserve our thoughts and thanks.( I have never served so My thanks is for something I have never done)
Good luck with the event Big Hug sent to you and yours

My dad was serving in the RAF on VE Day. His diary entry for 8 May 1945 was something like. ‘Sea a bit choppy, Victory over Germany announced, men issued with free bottle of beer, read and went to bed’.

I know my son (aged 6) has been learning about it and there are events of some kind at school today. Even if it's dress in red/white/blue it will hopefully spark some knowledge for younger generations.

Just had a (very well attended) short service on the Maypole Green by the Cenotaph. Long Preston School Children did the "Tribute" ... Later we are having an afternoon Tea in the Village Hall.

Two minute silence at 12 noon today