‘We may allow ourselves a brief period of rejoicing; but let us not forget for a moment the toil and efforts that lie ahead.’ Winston Churchill

Today is the 75th anniversary of VE day. A bit of a cloudy start but plenty to crack on with. It started with an interview on BBC Radio Cumbria. Being careful to stress that I was furloughed, I was asked about my personal connection to VE day and I relayed my lovely Mum's experience outside Buckingham Palace with her mother and aunt on 8 May 1945. I also managed to make a statement about the Forgotten Army and the war in the Far East, which I felt I needed to do. To be honest, I had got quite annoyed about the fact that radio and news presenters on Radio two had said today was the anniversary of the end of the war! Although I heard a great quote later in the day when someone said 'if it was the end of the war, they had forgotten to tell the Japanese!' 

This was followed by a morning in the kitchen. I was left in peace to enact an episode of bake off producing scotch eggs, sausage rolls,  cheese straws, scones, bread rolls and cakes - food for a very English afternoon tea but without the worries of rationing. I assembled my cake stand and located some union flag serviettes to complete the prep for a family VE day celebration tea. We were all set.

Of course friday is family film night and this evening it was the turn of the man of the house. He chose 'Fury' with Brad Pitt so fitting in nicely with our WW2 themed day. We ate our tea whilst watching the Hollywood blockbuster. Then at 6pm we took our drink to join some of our neighbours for a socially distanced drink in the garden of the lady across the roadI suppose there has to be some good from the coronavirus epidemic. It is unlikely we would have met up with some of our neighbours for a social drink for VE day had it not been a conversation whilst we were out clapping carers on Thursday evening. A chance conversation about VE day last night led to this social arrangement. A pleasant two hours were spent chatting and drinking (obviously 2 metres apart!) before we retired to our own houses as the temperature started to drop.

If I had been at work, we would have been busy celebrating VE day at the Museum linking with the Carlisle City Council event both today and tomorrow. But sadly, this event had to be cancelled and the work the Museum were doing with Cadets, Carlisle College and the Museum Young People's Group came to a halt. Trying to alter the event to a virtual one proved to be difficult but we posted on social media and provided virtual workshops encouraging people to make their own bunting and party hats instead. Like 1945 life, at present, is difficult but  today we made the best of a tough situation.  However, despite the brief distraction from coronavirus we must not forget why we are celebrating today, and remember the real essence of victory in Europe day.