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April 24/25th - VE Day Preparations With the loss of so many events already this year and particularly the Yorkshire Air Museum's "Against the Odds" V.E. 75 weekend event, I decided I needed to do something at home instead. So my VE Day preparations well underway now. I've got an order in with the quartermaster for some sandwiches and some red, white and blue cup cakes. My daughter wants Red, white and blue ice lollies too. I got a VE Day banner made across yesterday evening and finished today while also being class teacher this morning. Flags and bunting arriving any day now. Just got to work out how to fit both Jeeps in the front garden. It could be the biggest event of the year!!! For that matter, it's probably going to be the only event of the year!! |
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May 7/8th - VE Day
Baking & Display Our VE Day display preparations started in late April with the banner. The next step began the night before, with the baking of some VE Day cupcakes. The following morning, icing the designs began. I specified that they needed to be appropriate and so we settled on US Star roundels, RAF roundels, the Union flag and the flag of St George. The two cars were moved off the drive and then the bunting and flags went up. |
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What followed next was lots of shuffling of vehicles, trailers and stuff in the garage, to get both Jeeps and the Jeep trailer out and the big trailer and wheelie bins in the garage. I hadn't tried the big trailer in the garage since reworking the storage shelves in there and it took a couple of goes and moving things around inside to get it in far enough to shut the door! |
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Eventually, a little after 9am, the Jeeps, trailer, table and banner were in position. |
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Once everything was set, we all got changed for some pictures. I hadn't got my proper boots on at this point and forgot to hide my foot for the first picture. After a few shots, I switched to RAF and got some more pictures. In the end, the weather got out too hot for a shirt and tie so I switched back to my US greens. |
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By now we were being noticed, with walkers stopping to take pictures, followed by drive by shootings. I have a feeling we'll be all over local social media. The display brought the neighbours out to get some pictures, then they stayed out. The daughter of the guy over the road brought her music decks out and started playing music, a nice variety including some 1940's stuff. |
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More and more neighbours joined us in the street outside their houses, drinks started flowing, people brought their lunch out, then there was dancing. The social distancing conga was rather amusing. Partying continued through the afternoon. Evening meals took place in front gardens and the partying carried on. We began packing up a little after 7pm and took both Jeeps for a victory parade around the block. Was the journey necessary? - ABSOLUTELY!!! |
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The street party finally finished at 1am!! If it hadn't been for the lockdown, I think most normal families would have gone about the usual bank holiday shopping and DIY activities. However, being stuck at home probably resulted in more people taking the opportunity to let their hair down a bit and celebrate. It may well be our only event of 2020, but it will certainly be a memorable one. |
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