Friday 8th May should have been a day to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of VE Day (Victory in Europe). Instead the whole country was on lockdown, however, some were able to celebrate this momentous event in their own way or with socially distant neighbours.
Aycliffe Radio were no exception, they set up at Rose Lodge Care Home and between 1.00pm and 4.00pm entertained the residents with music and songs from the 1940s and 1950s.
At 2.00pm Amy Harrison then sang a selection of war songs made famous by the likes of Vera Lynn and the Andrew Sisters as well as a rendition of ‘God Save the Queen’.
Joining Amy were WO2 Tracy Downs and WO2 David Tomlinson from the town’s REME (Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers).
Aycliffe Radio presenter Gary Avery played a selection of songs, music, adverts and Pathe news clips from the 1940s. Although the station could not publicise the event, permission was obtained from the Police and Paul Howell MP.
There were a few onlookers and Sainsbury shoppers who stayed a while (at a distance) and watched as the afternoon unfolded, with Piper Neil Thain playing two tracks at 3pm, ‘Battles O’er’ and ‘VE Day 75’. ‘Battles O’er’ is the traditional tune played by pipers at the end of battle and ‘VE Day 75’ was specially written to commemorate the day. After the pipes was a moving poem ‘Just Another Soldier’.
One onlooker commented “What a fantastic day, I haven’t seen my mother in six weeks. To be able to come along today, enjoy the nice weather, have a dance and see my mother was great”.
The new Memory Lane show broadcasts Monday to Friday 1.00pm to 2.00pm on Aycliffe Radio. Gary will present a live show on a Monday playing requests and dedications – to place a request email info@ayclifferadio.co.uk or text 07512 253333.
Once we get back to some normality, Gary will be visiting the homes, talking to residents, taking requests and dedications for any upcoming celebrations.
