VE 70 Countdown: 3 weeks to go
VE 70 weekend is fast approaching and, as promised we’ll be keeping you up to speed on latest VE 70 news. Since our last update we can report the following developments:
Index
· Royal attendance at Westminster Abbey
· Let the Memory Live ON
· Local events
· Corporate Partnership activity
Royal attendance at Westminster Abbey
Buckingham Palace has announced that Her Majesty The Queen and other senior members of the Royal Family including The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall will attend the service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey on Sunday 10 May 2015.
Let the Memory Live On!
The Legion’s special VE Day 70 microsite is now live at www.veday.org.uk. It contains useful information relating to VE Day 70 activity taking place across the UK as well as encouraging people to share their own VE Day stories with us.
We are interested in accounts from anyone and everyone who was there—Service men and women, spouses of Service people, civilians and children. You can also share your stories on our social media channels using #VEDay70 and tagging The Royal British Legion. Some of the stories received so far are truly inspirational – well worth a look!
Local events – how to get involved
There are many ways people can get involved, from attending or hosting a street party or picnic, to watching a special V-shaped beacon being lit in their community, or listening out for the bells ringing in their local cathedral or church. http://www.veday.org.uk/get-involved/.
The public are being invited to share their plans on the newly launched VE Day 70 events map: www.defencehq.tumblr.com/post/115284856685/veday70-event-map.
If you are organising a local Legion event we would love to hear from you so please let us know via
· Twitter @PoppyLegion: https://twitter.com/PoppyLegion
· Facebook Royal British Legion: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialPoppyLegion
· Instagram @royalbritishlegion: https://instagram.com/royalbritishlegion
If you are already organising a local event and would like some bunting and flags to give the party that special VE Day 70 touch then you can also order supplies via this site or call 0845 845 1945.
If you have placed an order for a VE Day commemorative box be assured that we are processing your order. We will be sending the box in time for your VE Day 70 weekend events in the last week of April. The closing date for box orders is 24 April.
Corporate Partnership activity
The Legion is also working with a number of corporate partners to support VE Day 70. Information about further campaigns will be added in the lead up to VE Day weekend.
Coventry Building Society will offer VE Day 70 pins at all of their branches for a suggested donation of £2 from 20 April. Coventry Building Society branch locations: www.coventrybuildingsociety.co.uk/contact-us/branch-finder.
The Westminster Collection has teamed up with the Legion to issue an official VE Day medal to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. The campaign launched on Wednesday 15 April.
Each household in the UK is entitled to claim a FREE medal (+P&P). For each medal claimed, 50p will be donated directly to the Legion. See www.freevedaymedal.org.
Warner Leisure Hotels are holding VE Day-themed parties during the VE Day weekend across their venues in the UK. Each site is being encouraged to host a ‘Great British Garden Party’ where guests can come together to celebrate with great food, entertainment and a good old sing-song while raising money for the Legion.
Selected venues will also be hosting a veteran for the weekend; one of the Legion’s VE Day case studies, Richard Carter, will be guest of honour at Bodelwyddan Castle, Warner Leisure’s hotel in North Wales. The events are for guests only, however staff can book a holiday online and join the celebrations. VE Day 70 Pins will also be on sale at venues for a suggested donation of £2.