The Town Council wish to advise readers the next meeting of the VE Day Working group is on Wednesday 11th March 2020 at 2pm in the Council offices (Hutton House Durham Road, Chilton, Co. Durham DL17 0HE). Everyone is welcome to attend.
In line with the national programme of events as set out by the national Pageant Master on the website www.veday75.org the following has been organised:
Friday 8th May (Outside the Town Council Offices)
2.55pm – Last Post
Simon Howe will play the Last Post.
3.00pm – The Nations Toast to the Heroes of World War 2
Bishops Pipers will play the Battle’s O’er and the specially composed tune for VE 75 Years. This will be immediately followed by the Nations Toast to the heroes of World War 2.
****Ideally the working group would like the oldest person in Chilton who was alive on VE Day to lead the Nation’s Toast***.
Please forward details of whom you believe is Chilton’s oldest resident to the Town Council no later than 20th March so that this can be organised.
(Non alcoholic refreshments will be available)
6.55pm – A cry for peace around the world
It has been decided that this will be read by a junior and adult Town Crier. Competitions are to be held for both. Junior competition will be organised by Chilton Academy. The Town Council are going to organise the adult competition. More details will be advertised very soon.
7.00pm – Ringing out for peace
St Aidan’s have agreed to ring the Church Bells. Residents are encouraged to join in (of course not everyone will have a bell). It is suggested that residents join in by playing a bell sound effect on a mobile phone.
Saturday 9th May (Chilton Community Sports and Social Club)
VE Day Celebration events will take place during the day and evening, arrangements are still to be finalised but will be advertised very soon.
Sunday 10th May
11.00am – Church Services of Celebration and Commemoration
This is being held at St Aidan’s Church.
Residents are encouraged to participate in the VE Day celebrations. If anyone has any photographs, letters or memorabilia they would like to share the Town Council would like to take photocopies/photos to be used during the event on Saturday 9th May. Ideally we require this information as soon as possible. In addition to this Approach 2 have kindly funded a commemorative book, residents are encouraged to include written details, letters, photos and memorabilia in the book of family members who served in world war 2 or were alive during this time. At the moment the book is in Chilton Academy, they will give details on how to enter details. Ultimately the intention is to make the book available at various community locations during the lead up to the 8th May and then it will be available the full weekend. A list of places and dates where the book will be published.
If you require any further information please call into the Town Council or telephone 01388 721788.