Doncaster Council has organised a special virtual event on the recently launched online platform www.dnconnects.com which will include lots of Second World War related content and appropriate entertainment.
The event will include a mix of entertainment, celebration and commemoration. There are performances by singers and musicians carefully selected to celebrate the 75th Anniversary including a number of specially recorded pieces just for Doncaster.
There will be footage from the archives, a rendition of ‘We’ll Meet Again’ and a specially recorded version of ‘The Last Post’ filmed during the lockdown period by a solo trumpeter, part of Doncaster Council’s School Music team. Add to this messages from Mayor Ros Jones, Doncaster’s Armed Forces Champion Cllr Paul Wray and Sheffield City Region Mayor Dan Jarvis and the event promises to be entertaining and informative for people of all ages and a fitting tribute to the anniversary.
The film will premiere at 2pm and be shown again at 7pm. It can be accessed by links on www.dnconnects.com and will be posted on Doncaster Council and Visit Doncaster social media with links through to the YouTube platform hosting the event.
Following the 7pm showing, the film will be stored on dnconnects for people to view at their leisure.
This will enable people to watch from home and be part of Doncaster’s celebration of VE Day.
Ros Jones, Mayor of Doncaster, said: “We are facing some stark challenges at the moment with people making selfless contributions and sacrifices in light of the Covid-19 emergency. With this in mind, this year’s 75th anniversary of VE Day seems even more poignant.
“While we cannot organise a public event for people to pay their respects to those who fought in the Second World War, we are putting on a virtual event where people can log on to www.dnconnects.com and come together to honour and remember all of those war heroes.”
Dan Jarvis, Mayor of the Sheffield City Region, said: “VE Day is a day that will live in the national consciousness forever. For those who lived through the war, it was a moment of profound collective relief. For those who didn’t, the commemoration is an important opportunity to remember those who lost their lives and reflect on the service and sacrifice of millions.
“I would urge everyone to mark this important day at home, whilst still following the social distancing guidance that is in place. Together, we can still come together to say thank you and ensure that the service and sacrifice made by millions is never forgotten.”
As well as organising a national two minute silence at 11am, the Royal British Legion plan a VE75 livestream and have teamed up with the BBC in the evening.
Their livestream will enable people across the country to access activities at www.rbl.org.uk/veday75 and on social media using #VEDay75 and #VEDay75Live from 11.15am to 12noon. A special ‘VE DAY 75: The People’s Celebration’ will air on BBC One from 8pm to 9pm culminating with a “We’ll Meet Again’ Singalong.
The website www.dnconnects.com is being delivered by the council’s events team during the period of Covid-19 and is a showcase of Doncaster’s thriving creative and cultural sector.
It allows people to submit their own digital content and watch entertainment from other local people during the lockdown. It’s a great place to showcase talents, be entertained and learn whilst we are unable to join in, participate or socially gather.