TOWN and parish councils are encouraging people to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day on Friday and remember those who have sacrificed their lives.

Many special events and celebrations have been cancelled due to the coronavirus lockdown, however there are still a number of events that are scheduled throughout the day locally and nationally which you can join in at home.

Malmesbury Town Council has come up with a programme of virtual events, with help from Malmesbury Community Radio.

1pm - Malmesbury in World War II – Charles Vernon Talk

Listen to a fascinating talk with local historian and author Charles Vernon.

Find out what happened in Malmesbury in WWII.

Join Charles on Zoom Meeting ID: 876 8790 1818 Password: 021934.

2pm - Picnic Jamboree at your house.

Enjoy a red, white and blue picnic in your home with Malmesbury Community Radio.

2.55pm -The Last Post and a two minute silence.

3pm - A tribute to the millions followed by a Toast to the Heroes.

3.15pm - Churchill’s Speech. Listen to one of the last century’s most iconic speeches.

6.55pm - Cry For Peace by Wiltshire and Malmesbury Town Councillor Gavin Grant.

7pm - Church Bells ring out for peace.

To listen to Malmesbury Community Radio on Friday, visit bit.ly/3fo2EeQ.

There will also be a number of virtual events in Cirencester.

10am - Special church service streamed on social media by the Parish Church of St John Baptist and led by the Rev Canon Graham Morris.

Commencing with Proclamation from Town Crier John Lawrence.

To view the service, go to cirenparish.co.uk.

Sunday - 3.30pm - Virtual tea party.

Afternoon tea (scones, sandwiches, cupcakes) can be ordered from Diversitea for £10 per head for delivery in Cirencester and nearby villages before 3pm.

Phone Karen on 07907 472509, or email diversiteacafe@gmail.com.

Or bake your own and send photos of your tea party on Monday to Cirencester A Local Town for Local People and Cirencester Community Response (COVID19) Facebook pages along with any pictures of your National Toast and singing We’ll Meet Again.

Lechlade-based Vintage Singer, Delores, is inviting people to join her for a live musical tribute. Singing a nostalgic selection of songs from the era to include: The Andrews Sisters, Vera Lynn, Edith Piaf, Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald and more, the online event will be live-streamed from Delores’ garden (weather permitting) at 12pm.

To attend, click the invitation on Facebook: Facebook.com/Deloresx.

The Kemble and district Royal British Legion and Women’s Section is asking villagers to join in this weekend and display flags and bunting to pay tribute.

A number of national events are also scheduled throughout the day which you can join in at home.

• 11am - a two-minute silence to honour the service and sacrifice of the Second World War generation and reflect on the impact Covid-19 has had across the world.

• 11.15am - the Royal British Legion are presenting a livestream during which they will be sharing stories and memories from those who served and sacrificed during WW2 as well as recognising the difficulties people are experiencing today.

See bit.ly/2zYdDLS.

• 3pm - people across the country will join in with the Nation’s Toast to the Heroes of WW2.

Stand up and raise a glass while reciting the toast: “To those who gave so much, we thank you.”

• 6.55pm - International Cry for Peace Around the World.

Starting off in New Zealand, town criers and other people across the world will perform a special commemorative cry.

• 8pm - an evening of memories and music on BBC One, including a pre-recorded address to the nation by the Queen.

• 9pm - a UK-wide singalong to Vera Lynn’s We’ll Meet Again at tinyurl.com/yajomwvm.

Many other organisations are getting involved and offering activities that can be enjoyed at home: A VE Day learning pack for children aged 7-14 years which can be downloaded from the Royal British Legion website.

• BBC Local Radio have launched an initiative on making your own VE Day Great British Bunting.

Download everything you need at bbc.co.uk/makeadifference.

• English Heritage are offering a special VE Day 75 pack which includes tips for

dancing Lindy Hop style, a selection of tasty recipes and a playlist of popular 1940s songs to sing along too.

They have a Lindy Hop dance tutorial at 12pm and you can join in with a a Lindy Hop dance troupe and band at 5pm. More information at tinyurl.com/y9xdlo5o.

The Standard wants to see how people are marking the 75th anniversary of VE Day.

Email your pictures to sam.krayem-wood@newsquest.co.uk. We will be printing some of our favourite pictures in next week’s paper.