This Friday’s special VE Day anniversary Bank Holiday was supposed to be full of street parties and commemorations, but there’s one street in Bristol that is determined to do something to mark the day.
So despite the coronavirus pandemic lockdown, the residents of Novers Park Road will be out holding a special street party this Friday (May 8), in the same way the residents did 75 years ago.
Back in 1945, people right across Knowle West and the rest of Bristol put their tables down the middle of the road and threw together whatever they could from their rationed larders, to mark the moment of Victory in Europe, as the first stage of the Second World War was won.
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Now, the people of Novers Park Road will be out on their drives each having their own picnic, barbecue and street party - socially distanced, of course - to mark the 75th anniversary of that day.
Sarah and Lee Carswell were due to be on holiday in Las Vegas this week, but as soon as that was cancelled, they decided they wanted to do something to bring the street together - metaphorically - and mark VE Day.
Next door neighbour and singer Mark Stacey will be entertaining the residents with his singing - he’s already out once a week and videos of his performances from his driveway have gone viral on social media in south Bristol.
For Lee, a security agent at Bristol Airport, it’s a special moment. He is passionate about the history of both world wars, and is a regular visitor to places across Europe with links to the 20th century conflicts.
He recently completed a 12-day road trip all the way up the Western Front in France and Belgium, and is a regular attendee at commemorations on the Normandy beaches, as well as fundraising efforts for the Royal British Legion and Help For Heroes.
“As soon as we realised the holiday was not happening, we knew we would have to do something here,” said Sarah. “Lots of people in the street are getting involved, and we’ve got bunting going up across the road, and it’ll be a street party from 1pm,” she added.
- Are you planning anything special to mark VE Day in your community? Let Bristol Live know by emailing bristolpostnews@localworld.co.uk
