Friday 8th May was the 75th Anniversary of VE Day (Victory in Europe), which marked the end of the Second World War against Germany. Unfortunately due to the current pandemic, the planned events had to be cancelled.
When I used social media to promote an idea I had seen about Stay at Home Street Parties, I was delighted that so many residents and traders were enthusiastic about the idea.
I offered the ribbon that was earmarked for our village’s planned celebration on Saturday 9th May to households to start their bunting-making. I had 125 requests – and Radio Nottingham interviewed me on their Breakfast Show on 6th May.
Thanks are expressed to the premises in the village who displayed a poster and to those residents who leaflet-dropped their neighbours to make sure everyone was aware of the idea, as not everyone engages with socail media.
By 8th May, Ruddington was awash with red, white and blue decorations in and around homes and businesses. The day dawned dry and sunny. During the day and into the evening, Stay at Home Street Parties took place all over the village. Each neighbourhood creating their own celebration with music, dancing, fancy dress and BBQs, all socially distanced.
Churchill Drive was also renamed for the day as “Winston Churchill Drive”.
Local traders provided numerous options to support the commemorations, including a VE Day limited edition hamper, afternoon teas, beer and takeaways. Music was also streamed via the Frame Breakers Facebook page.
At 3pm everyone was invited to make a noise to unite the village and they did!
“Raucous Ruddington” appears in the Rushcliffe Borough Council video of celebrations across the Borough, as they arrived on Musters Road just before 3pm to capture the moment!
After the event, I asked some residents to sum up the day in 3 words:
- Joyful community spirit (Jennifer)
- Respectful, rejoyful and rejuvenating (Katie)
- Brought people together (Samantha and Emma)
- Absolutely bloomin’ fantastic (Catherine)
- Sunny garden fun (Holly)
- Amazing community spirit (Jessica)
- Ruddy good day (Martin)
- Community, raucous, sunny (Rachel)
- Just blooming brilliant (Kelly)
- Eating cake happily (Claire)
- Neighbours, priorities, memories (Sandy)
Ruddington definitely showed its patriotism and its renowned community spirit, despite the unprecedented situation we all currently find ourselves in. It was also fun!
Barbara Breakwell
(Photos from RUDDINGTON.info)