Social distancing for V.E. day in Bristol

A lion gate post ornament is seated in a tank with a Union Jack for V.E. day

It was going to be very different; our government had planned a series of events on May 8th to mark the seventy-fifth anniversary of the ending of the war in Europe (V.E. day). Local groups were planning street parties, film shows and church parades. The bank holiday had been moved from Monday to Friday so we could celebrate. Instead, we are in lockdown and not allowed to visit family or friends.  I have noticed a definite change of mood in the last few weeks.  Communities have come closer together in these strange times and I think people want to show that life goes on. We also need a bit of fun and a party for the children who have not been able to go to school since the middle of March.

V.E. day in Frenchay

I was somewhat surprised when visiting nearby Frenchay for my morning walk to find that the streets were decorated with bunting and flags and that people had put tables in their front gardens.

Bunting across the Street
They have hung out the bunting
Pink house and bunting for V.E. day

Frenchay used to be a traditional village with small cottages and large houses grouped around the common.   Now however it is easy to see many younger people have moved into the old cottages.

A car painted like jurassic park
I don’t think the period details are quite right
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More street art

For my own family V.E. day always felt a bit strange. My mother’s brother was a prisoner of war in Singapore and would not be released for another year.  My grandparents lived through the Bristol Blitz and were relieved that the war in Europe was over and that their daughter who was a teacher could return to Bristol from Cornwall with her class.

However, each generation interprets history a little bit differently.  My daughter in law sent me some lovely pictures of my grandchildren enjoying the day.

My randchildren in red white and blue fancy dress enjoying V.E. day
My grandchildren Ewan and Eris dressed up for a street party in Swindon

We are waiting to see how much longer we will be in lockdown and what the new normal will look like. I hope there will be gains as well as losses and that we will develop a deeper sense of community. My grandson is hoping he can start school in September having only missed by a few days last year and both children want to go on play dates with their friends and play on the swings in the park.

This post will be added to Norm’s Thursday doors.

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12 responses to “Social distancing for V.E. day in Bristol”

  1. Hi Anne – loved the pics and the grandies in their outfits. Our little granddaughter is in kindy and they’ve just started back again this week. Australia went into lockdown very early in the piece and we seem to have had a much better outcome than a lot of other countries. Restrictions are being slowly lifted and we’ll be allowed to travel a bit further next week – just far enough to see our kids and grandgirls (I’m very excited!) I love the community spirit that’s come from this time of isolation and I hope it stays forever too.
    Thanks for linking up with us at MLSTL and I’ve shared on my SM 😊

    • Our lock down is lifting a bit as well. We can go out more than once a day and for more than an hour. We can also meet a friend in the park.

  2. Hi Anne, The village does appear to be more eclectic than traditional. Still nice to see some festivities when social distancing. Your grandchildren are adorable!

  3. What cute, cute grandchildren! Please visit me at NanaHood (the second half of the motherhood journey) and follow our social channels. We are a large group of grandparents who love celebrating grandchildren!

  4. It’s nice to see a little decor for the day and people still getting involved, albeit very different to how the streets around the UK would usually look on this day. Your daughter-in-law did good dressing up her babbas, they’re very cute! xx