Harrogate residents to hold safe VE Day ‘street party'

A group of residents in Harrogate are hoping to hold their own socially-distanced ‘street party’ next Friday, May 8 in a show of respect for the 75th anniversary of VE Day.
VE Day marks the formal acceptance by Britain and the Allies in the Second World War of Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender on May 8, 1945.VE Day marks the formal acceptance by Britain and the Allies in the Second World War of Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender on May 8, 1945.
VE Day marks the formal acceptance by Britain and the Allies in the Second World War of Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender on May 8, 1945.

Organised by a local Neighbourhood Watch group in the Bilton area, the VE Day lockdown party will follow full Government guidelines for social distancing, as the street does every Thursday night clapping for the NHS and all support workers.

Taking place from 3pm to 6pm, the idea of this 75th anniversary event is that each family will have table and chairs in their front gardens with buntings, flags and music from the war years.

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VE Day marks the formal acceptance by Britain and the Allies in the Second World War of Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender on May 8, 1945.

In February Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the UK Government’s plans for a day-long series of events to mark the occasion.

These have largely been cancelled following the lockdown to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.

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A spokesperson for the Harrogate lockdown party said the idea had been checked with neighbours with the message that all families must follow the Government rules on social distancing.

The spokesperson said: "After a suggestion from a neighbour,about having a lockdown street party for our street , I delivered a flyer to every house as I am one of the drive’s Neighbourhood watch coordinators, asking who would be interested in having a lockdown party, as an alternative to a street party, to celebrate the 75 anniversary of VE

"We had an instant response from one end of street, but I went to have a word with the others who at first were understandably concerned, but after talking and explaining we felt it appropriate at this time, as for the older generation this pandemic is almost like been in a war situatation.

"They were then convinced it was a good idea and they would communicate to the other neighbours."

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The event is designed to follow the strict rules of lockdown.

The spokesperson said: "Another flyer is going to be sent out explaining to the whole street that all families must follow the Government rules on social distancing, and on the day of the party no one should be on our road.

"Like the rest of the world we are all thinking for each other, and I for one believe all nations should at the end of this, start looking at ways to care and protect our planet and each other.

"The most important thing is that we will all be following full government guidelines for social distancing , as we do every Thursday night clapping, for the NHS and all support workers."

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