VE Day 2020: What time celebrations will take place and how to take part without breaking lockdown

This year, the coronavirus lockdown has meant that hundreds of celebrations planned for the 75th anniversary of the momentous day have had to be cancelled.

But in the same way that millions of Britons have used technology to satisfy their pub quiz itches, see family members, and even get married, VE Day 2020 on May 8 is taking place at home and online.

The PA news agency has spoken to organisations across the UK to get a round-up of how the country will be marking the occasion, be it taking part in the Nation's Toast, cooking with ration books or planning a #VEDay75stayathome party.

When do the VE Day Celebrations take place? Timings in full:

- 11am: A two-minute silence will be held to honour the service and sacrifice of the wartime generation and reflect on the devastating impact Covid-19 has had on so many lives across the world.

- 11.15am: The nation is invited to join in with the Royal British Legion's (RBL) VE Day 75 Livestream.

Grab a cup of tea and tune in as the generations of the Second World War and today are brought together to chat about their shared experiences.

Hosted by TV presenter Sonali Shah, the 45-minute programme will feature stories from those who served and sacrificed, as well as recognising the difficulties people are experiencing today.

- 3pm: The Nation's Toast to the Heroes of World War Two. Take part by raising a glass, cheering and clapping on your doorsteps and saying: "To those who gave so much, we thank you."

- 9pm: A pre-recorded address by the Queen will be broadcast at the exact moment her father, King George VI, gave a radio address on May 8 1945.

- 9pm: Fancy a sing-along? After the Queen's address, the nation is invited to come together in a rendition of Vera Lynn's We'll Meet Again on BBC One.

What is happening across the country?

- A "huge virtual party" is planned for Mansfield in Nottinghamshire, with residents encouraged to hold picnics in their front gardens and deliver wartime-style treats to loved ones in

lockdown isolation.

Singer Jessica Poole, known as the Yorkshire Belle, will lead a wartime sing-along of 1940s favourites live on the council's Facebook page at 8.15pm.

- In Plymouth - which was bombed on 59 separate occasions during the Blitz - people are being encouraged to put on their dancing shoes at home.

Local troupe Plymouth Dance have made online tutorial videos to get the city whirling and twirling to Frank Sinatra classics Sway and Come Fly With Me.

- In Surrey, Epsom and Ewell Mayor John Beckett said: "We may be in lockdown, but we are a patriotic borough, so let's mark this great day by getting out the bunting and the Union flags and turning our borough red, white and blue!"

- Basingstoke Mayor Diane Taylor is encouraging people to join in the international Cry for Peace at 6.55pm.

She will be streaming the address live on social media at the same time as dignitaries around the world.

- In Gloucester, a series of videos will be shared by Gloucester City Council, looking back at the Second World War, including the incredible contribution of the Gloster Aircraft Company, which manufactured thousands of Hawker fighter planes.

- In the North East, residents of Newcastle and Gateshead will be able to look out at the Tyne Bridge, which will be lit up in red, white and blue.

- Derby City Council will be broadcasting a special pre-recorded dedication service to mark VE Day at 2.45pm on Facebook.

- In East Anglia, King's Lynn & West Norfolk Borough Council is holding online 1940s dance classes along with an ARP Warden plane-spotting quiz as part of its celebrations.

What VE Day Events are happening in Leeds?

Leeds Council said:

Unfortunately due to the current coronavirus pandemic, all VE Day events across the UK have been cancelled in line with government guidance.

Residents across the city are therefore encouraged to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day in a different way this year, from the comfort of their own homes.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) have created a digital toolkit which includes lots of ways you can still get involved in marking the anniversary. It contains educational resources, a guide for planning an at-home tea party, recipes, bunting and fun activities. The full toolkit is available here: www.ve-vjday75.gov.uk/get-involved. Other organisations have also created toolkits and resources for celebrating VE Day at home including The Royal British Legion and English Heritage.

In Leeds, using resources from these toolkits, the council have been linking up with care homes, schools and nurseries to encourage people to celebrate VE Day wherever they may be.

The council’s libraries team have also been digging deep into the Leodis photo archive to create a short film using photographic material of end of war celebrations in Leeds. This will be shared on VE Day on Leeds Libraries’ Facebook and Twitter pages. They would also love to see how you are celebrating VE Day at home this year. Please email any photographs to [email protected].

You can also submit any photos, videos, artwork, recipes and games you have planned for VE Day as part of Child Friendly Leeds' fortnightly challenges for children during lockdown. The latest challenge, which focuses specifically on VE Day, encourages children and families to share how they are having fun at home 'VE Day style' on social media using the hashtag #OurChildFriendlyLeeds. Check out the Child Friendly Leeds blog for more information.

To mark the occasion next Friday, Leeds Civic Hall, Town Hall and City Museum will all be lighting up red, white and blue to pay tribute to all those who served and made so many sacrifices during the Second World War, both at home and abroad.