May 2020
Delicious VE Day celebrations at Lake House
Although celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of VE Day fell during a global pandemic, Lake House still celebrated and found time for reflection during the special day.
On Friday 8th May 1945 the guns fell silent at the end of the war in Europe and celebrations of peace were underway across Great Britain. Many residents at Lake House remember the day clearly having been children or young adults at the time.
Each resident's door was decorated with balloons and residents took part in a VE Day themed quiz followed by a corridor spitfire contest. At 11am, everyone fell silent for two minutes to remember loved ones lost during the years of conflict.
Before raising a toast to war heroes with the nation at 3pm, a delicious afternoon tea was served. Traditional food, including 1940s favourites such as Spam, was donated by local Morrisons and Tesco stores along with cakes baked by a resident’s daughter. The tea was served on union jack placemats and with ration books individualised for each resident.
Later, residents and the team joined in a rousing singalong of Dame Vera Lynn’s ‘We’ll Meet Again’; a song that has risen in popularity once again during the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic as a beacon of hope for the millions of people across the country who are apart from their loved ones during the lockdown. This poignant number was accompanied by a prosecco for residents who wished to raise a glass to absent family and friends.
Victory in Europe Day 1945 celebrated the end of years of carnage and destruction and millions of people took to the streets and pubs to celebrate peace, mourn their loved ones and to hope for the future. The conflict remained in the Far East, however, until 15th August 1945 when Japan surrendered unconditionally to the Allies, effectively ending the Second World War. Lake House will be continuing their celebrations in August to mark Victory in Japan Day.