VE Day: Wales marks the 75th anniversary during lockdown
There may be no street parties or public services, but the people of Wales remembering the sacrifice of a generation.
More than 15,000 Welsh soldiers died during World War Two. Despite the lockdown, a series of special events are being held for us all to pause, celebrate, and pay thanks to them on the 75th anniversary of VE Day. So how can you mark the day without leaving the house? The UK government had moved the traditional early May bank holiday from Monday to Friday 8 May to allow celebrations on the anniversary of the end of the war in Europe. Coronavirus social distancing restrictions mean many public events, including services at cenotaphs, war memorials and churches which were planned to mark the anniversary have been cancelled. Police have warned people not to have street parties as the restrictions to curb the pandemic continue, but to instead celebrate VE Day in their homes and gardens. But First Minister Mark Drakeford has said the virus will not stop people remembering, celebrating and being thankful during "this extraordinary time in our own history". We are being encouraged to pause and reflect, raise a glass, and even have a good old sing-a-long from our homes in honour of those who gave their lives. What is planned on the day? Whether isolating on their own, or with family, people are being encouraged to decorate their homes with bunting and posters to recreate the party atmosphere during lockdown. The official VE Day website offers ideas for wartime food, music and activities to create a street party in your home, while a template to make special bunting for your windows can be found here. The BBC's special evening programme will feature Welsh soprano Katherine Jenkins, actor Adrian Lester and singer Beverley Knight, who will be performing some well-known songs from the 1930s and 40s. It will culminate in a public sing along of Dame Vera Lynn's We'll Meet Again, a song synonymous with World War Two. Last month, the Queen echoed the words of the now 103-year-old singer - known as the Forces' sweetheart - when she told those in lockdown "we will meet again" during a rare speech to the nation. What is VE Day? Victory in Europe (VE) Day on 8 May 1945 saw Britain and its Allies formally accept Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender after almost six years of war. At 15:00, Prime Minister Winston Churchill announced on the radio that the war in Europe had come to an end, following Germany's surrender the day before. Spontaneous celebrations broke out across the country and the Queen, then Princess Elizabeth, and her sister Princess Margaret, ventured out with a group of friends to experience the excitement in London. We'll Meet Again At 21:00, just after the Queen's address to the nation, we are being encouraged to go to our doors, windows, driveways, and gardens for a socially-distanced mass sing-a-long. But just in case you do not know the words, here are the lyrics to the Vera Lynn classic. We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when, But I know we'll meet again some sunny day Keep smiling through, just like you, always do 'Till the blue skies drive the dark clouds far away. So will you please say hello, to the folks that I know, tell them I won't be long They'll be happy to know, that as you saw me go, I was singing this song We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when But I know we'll meet again some sunny day. (Repeat from the top)