Mendip District Council will mark the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) on its social media channels this year – and it's urging residents to join in the virtual commemorations too.

The Coronavirus outbreak has restricted traditional community events, however the Council is inviting people to post their stories, photos and videos online instead, so they can be shared as we all celebrate together on the Bank Holiday Friday, 8th May, 2020.

Nationally at 11am, there will be a two-minute silence to reflect and remember when the guns across Europe also fell silent, after six years of devastating conflict.

Staff and Members of the Council will be taking part in the 'Nation's Toast to the Heroes of WW2' at 3pm, from the safety of their own homes, by standing up, raising a glass and undertaking a Toast which declares: "To those who gave so much, we thank you."

There are plans to broadcast Winston Churchill's rousing speech on TV and radio, and there will be contributions from HRH Prince Charles and Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The Queen will broadcast to the nation at 9pm – the same time as her father, King George VI, gave his historic radio address on 8th May, 1945. This will be followed by a UK-wide rendition of Dame Vera Lynn's 'We'll Meet Again'.

A countdown of many of these key events, and more, will be listed on social media, including on the Council's recently-launched official Facebook page: www.facebook.com/mendipcouncil/ which residents are encouraged to follow throughout, as Mendip District Council pays tribute on VE Day. You can also follow us on Twitter twitter.com/MendipCouncil

Cllr Damon Hooton, the Council's Armed Forces Champion, said: "At this time of international crisis when we celebrate and show respect and gratitude to new heroes, let us not forget the former servicemen and servicewomen and civilians who served our country during the Second World War to secure the freedom we have today.

"We owe them a huge debt of gratitude, so please join us on VE Day in any way you can to show your thanks and support for these remarkable people."

Leader of Mendip District Council, Cllr Ros Wyke, said: "Many millions fought for our freedom and others supported the home front. Mendip will to mark the milestone and honour them, albeit in a different way.

"Despite the lockdown, we will celebrate this poignant anniversary. We will never forget the sacrifices that were made.

"Now more than ever, we must come together and unite."

There are lots of ways that you can get involved and show your support – from bunting-making, to story-telling, singing and toasting. Let's celebrate together and unite across Mendip.

Make it, Mendip.

• The Royal British Legion has a range of ideas here: www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/remembrance/remembrance-events/ve-day-75
• Make your own Great British Bunting with help from the BBC: bbc.in/3cTfBev
• The government has also published a toolkit of resources, to include posters that you can print and display at home in your windows
• Mark the anniversary at home - English Heritage has a pack to help you

Learn about it:

• School kids can discover what VE Day is all about here: For school children, historian and presenter Dan Snow has set you a creative challenge

• Show us your bunting. We would love you to share your photos with us from across Mendip. #VEDay75 #GreatBritishBunting
• Share your stories: we'd like to see people contributing their family's connection to WW2 by posting photos and stories on social media using #VEDay75 especially those locally in Somerset and Mendip https://www.facebook.com/mendipcouncil/ and twitter.com/MendipCouncil

• Town Criers and others from across the globe would usually be undertaking a special international 'Cry for Peace Around the World' in many locations, including those in Mendip. As we all stay home to save lives, you can read a copy of the cry here: www.veday75.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Cry-for-peace-around-the-world-cert.pdf
• Join in at 9pm for a UK-wide rendition of Dame Vera Lynn's 'We'll Meet Again' to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day www.britishlegion.org.uk/stories/ve-day-singalong?seg=WPDW3B after the Queen's address.