Residents will be excited to hear that plans are in hand for the village to enter into the national commemoration of the day, seventy five years ago, when the guns fell silent at the end of the war in Europe.
On Bank Holiday Friday, 8th May, Long Wittenham will be joining the country in paying tribute to those who lived and served through one of the most significant events in our country’s history.
Wittenham Warriors will be leading the organisation of the celebrations and will be working closely with the Parish Council and Julie & Liam Carberry at The Plough, who have very generously offered to host the event in their garden.
Preparations are in the early stages and may well change, but the plans for the day include the Village Fun Run, a barbecue, children games, a beer festival (featuring a special VE Day Brew), The Bob Cutting Swing Band, vintage tea tent, a cake competition, community sing-song and a village conga.
The day will start at 11am with the annual Village Fun Run, and as always, this very popular event will be run by our experts Tom & Prew Bowtell. They will be encouraging families to walk, jog, run the 5K course and it is hoped that there will be plenty of people dressed up in VE Day themed costumes. More details will follow.
The Bob Cutting Swing Band will be playing from 2pm to 3pm and from 3.30pm to 4.30pm. They are a seventeen piece band with a singer. All the wonderful tunes we associate with the period will be performed, and it is hoped that there will be a dance floor so that you can show off your moves.
The marquee in The Plough’s garden will be transformed into a beautiful vintage tearoom, with china cups and saucers and delicious cakes, served by waitresses dressed in 1940’s garb, while you relax and enjoy the music.
After the band has finished playing, there will be a good old knees up, with singing around the piano accompanied by village musicians.
If you would like to get involved in this historic, memorable event (there are lots of tasks to be done), or you have contacts that you think would be useful then please email the organisers at longwittveday@hotmail.com.
