How to join VE Day celebrations in Leeds during the coronavirus lockdown

Leeds is set to fall silent at 11am as it honours the sacrifice of the Second World War generation 75 years on from the era-defining conflict which scarred Europe.
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There will be no large-scale street parties and parades to commemorate Victory in Europe (VE) Day because of the coronavirus pandemic, but a host of novel events are going ahead across TV, radio and online.

Here is what you can do today to celebrate VE Day:

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.

VE Day 2020 is being held at home Copyright: ugcVE Day 2020 is being held at home Copyright: ugc
VE Day 2020 is being held at home Copyright: ugc

It will be broadcast on the BBC.

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

Watch it here.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."

3pm: Extracts from Sir Winston's victory speech will be played across TV and radio to recreate the moment the end of the war in Europe was announced.

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Here are some fun ideas to celebrate VE Day while in lockdown
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8-8.30pm Captain Tom’s War on ITV - The story of Yorkshireman Captain Tom Moore will be broadcast at 8pm.

Captain Tom will look back on his time during the War in the brutal Burma campaign, as a million Allied troops from 40 nations attempted to repel the invading forces of Imperial Japan from the British colony over almost three years, between 1941 and 1944.

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.

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Because of social-distancing measures, the Government has created a template pack to enable people to host a 1940s-style afternoon tea from their living rooms or gardens - comprising of VE Day bunting, recipes, and games for children.

The family tree discovery service Ancestry.co.uk will be free throughout the Bank Holiday weekend to give people the opportunity to uncover personal stories of the war, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said.

Elsewhere, The National Army Museum, the RAF Museum and the National Museum of the Royal Navy will host the Virtual VE Day 75 Festival taking place online from Thursday to Saturday, highlighting objects and stories from their collections.

The Imperial War Museum's four-minute "Voices Of War" is also available, bringing together first-hand accounts of VE Day from its vast audio archives.

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