With the May Day Bank Holiday weekend fast approaching – and it being celebrated on the Friday rather than the Monday for the first time due to the 75th anniversary of VE Day – Coventry BID is, today, proudly inviting every citizen of Coventry to a very special Bank Holiday Garden Party – with a difference!
The 8th May 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of VE Day – or Victory in Europe Day. This date is significant as it recognizes the formal acceptance, by World War II Allies, of Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender of armed forces – signalling the end of the Second World War.
The news brought about celebrations across every household and street up and down the nation – and it is in this spirit that the ‘virtual’ Garden Party Weekend is announced, as we are invited to seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to raise the roof, decorate the home with bunting and party like it’s 1945! Whether it’s a picnic on the back lawn; a sandwich and a glass of fizz on your front step, or a pork pie and slice of cake in your kitchen, there’s no excuse not to enjoy the knees up!
Leading the charge over the Bank Holiday weekend, some of Coventry’s favourite food and drink businesses, alongside Coventry Market, will join forces to create extra-special Garden Party Weekend dishes and VE Day hampers for home delivery across the 3-day weekend.
With 30 city businesses already pledging their allegiance to the campaign, Coventrians can choose from sumptuous Afternoon Cream Teas delivered to your doorstep on the Friday and Saturday – a perfect way to treat yourself or why not show you care by having one delivered to a loved one or neighbour during the lockdown? And Sunday 10th May will see traditional Roast Dinners with all the trimmings being prepared and delivered across the county, too. This really will be the Best of British!
Trish Willets, Coventry BID Director comments; “Like with VE Day, we are full of fighting spirit in Coventry and were determined not to let the war against Corona spoil our celebrations – afterall, Coventry is a city that was scarred by the Second World War but continues to rebuild itself so spectacularly – so, instead of welcoming you into the city for our annual Food Festival, we’re bringing the Food Festival to your front door with ‘virtual’ The Garden Party Weekend!”
Councillor Abdul Salam Khan, Cabinet Member for Events, added:
“The 8th May marks a very important date in the country’s calendar as it commemorates the 75th anniversary of VE Day, a day that formally marked the ending of the Second World War in Europe. Clearly here in Coventry, a city synonymous with this dreadful period in Britain’s history and how we rose to rebuild ourselves, it is fitting that we mark the occasion.
“Sadly, with the ongoing pandemic and Government guidelines on staying home and saving lives, the great events we had planned along with BID had to be cancelled. However, fitting with our reputation as a city that always rises to the challenge, I’m sure the community will want to mark this important date and show their support on Friday 8th May, by commemorating the anniversary.
“By taking part either through supporting the local businesses who are delivering food to people’s doors, decorating their houses with bunting, or coming together safely as a family in their own gardens, we encourage the city to mark a special date in the city’s and country’s history.”
Joining the fun will also be local radio station, BBC Coventry and Warwickshire, who have, today, asked people to ‘do their bit’ and celebrate from home by making their own special VE Day ‘Great British Bunting’ to display in their windows. The campaign, which was launched on their breakfast show this morning, will ask people to put up their bunting decorations by Friday 8th and across the Bank Holiday weekend.
Although the national VE Day plans remain confidential, it is widely thought that there will be a two- minute silence at 11am; an address around 3pm marking Churchill's speech and a UK wide singalong of We'll Meet Again at 9pm.
“In the words of the great Dame Vera Lynn”, adds Trish Willets, “We’ll meet again. Don’t know when, don’t know where’, so, in the meantime, let’s make this Garden Party Weekend our very own VE celebration at this most unusual time in our own history!”
Interested parties should head to the official Coventry BID website www.coventrycitycentre.co.uk as well as their social media pages CovCityCentre for up to date announcements and to organise your Afternoon Tea and Sunday Roast slots.
To find out more about BBC Coventry & Warwickshire’s bunting appeal, visit https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/england/coventry_and_warwickshire