May 08, 2020 - 1914 views
Colwyn Bay will fall silent from 11 o'clock this morning to remember the people 75 years ago who made the ultimate sacrifice on this day back in 1945.
Although communities in lockdown will not have the chance to join together and pay their respects at the Cenotaph and at Queens Gardens in Colwyn Bay, many will stop to reflect and offer up two minutes of silence from their homes.
Colwyn's Town Clerk Tina Earley posted a photo of the flag flying in the town earlier and asked everyone to remember those who paid with their lives but safely at home during the lockdown.
On May 8, 1945, both Great Britain and the United States celebrate Victory in Europe Day. Cities in both nations, as well as formerly occupied cities in Western Europe, put out flags and banners, rejoicing in the defeat of the Nazi war machine during World War II.
The eighth of May spelled the day when German troops throughout Europe finally laid down their arms: In Prague, Germans surrendered to their Soviet antagonists, after the latter had lost more than 8,000 soldiers, and the Germans considerably more; in Copenhagen and Oslo; at Karlshorst, near Berlin; in northern Latvia; on the Channel Island of Sark—the German surrender was realized in a final cease-fire. More surrender documents were signed in Berlin and in eastern Germany.
Across the day, Bayside Radio will mark the day with two minutes silence followed an afternoon of 40s memories from 4pm with Pete Williams, a special VE commeration with Canon Quentin Bellamy and Pete Williams, Director of Music at Rydal Penrhos with two hours of Wartime songs on the Eclectic Arena from 8pm until 10pm. Listen on 87.7FM or online.
Photograph courtesy of Tina Earley.
