This weekend – Saturday 7^th May and Sunday 8^th May, The Forum is hosting a free, two-day public event to mark the 60^th anniversary of VE Day. The weekend is titled V60 – be part of a moment in history and is presented in association with BBC Voices and funded through the Home Front Recall lottery funding scheme. It will run alongside ‘Their Past Your Future’, an innovative new exhibition on the Second World War led by the Imperial War Museum, currently on display in the Atrium.

 

On both days a team of re-enactment specialists, dressed as members of the Home Guard and Women’s Voluntary Service, an Air Raid Warden, Land Girl and 1940s Norfolk folk, will all be at The Forum to help visitors to find out more about life in the region during the Second World War. In the atrium of The Forum and in the Origins Visitor Attraction there will be a 1940s house complete with kitchen garden, a row of 1940s shops, a bomb shelter, ration cards and coupons. Entry to Origins will be free of charge for everyone throughout the weekend.

 

Outside on Millennium Plain will be a Land Army display by Roots of Gressenhall, including hay bales, horses and piglets. The Muckleburgh Collection will be bringing a 1940s car and motorcycle to The Forum together with an Austin K2 ambulance, complete with resident ghost, called Bob!

 

City College Norwich’s Fashion, Hair and Beauty Department will present a 1940s Fashion Show which will be repeated at 12 noon and 3pm on both days.

 

On Sunday 8^th May there will be an open air service of remembrance and thanksgiving at 11.30am led by Rev. Peter Noakes from St Peter Mancroft church.

 

Following this service, at 12 noon, an ‘Evacuee Reunion’ will be held to reunite people who were part of host families in Norfolk with their evacuee children. Work to find both representatives from the host families and evacuees themselves is already in full swing on BBC Radio Norfolk. Places at the Evacuee Reunion must be booked in advance, so anyone interested in the event, who was a evacuated to Norfolk, or was a member of a host family in the county, should call 01603 631631 to secure a place.

 

The 2^nd Air Division Memorial Library will be open especially for the 60^th anniversary of VE Day. Founded in memory of the American servicemen stationed in Norfolk during the war, the library houses a collection of materials about American culture and the Second World War. Come along to see the special exhibits and videos, relax with the Sunday newspapers and enjoy a doughnut!

 

The Children’s Library will be open on Sunday, as usual, but as part of the VE Day events children will be able to join a celebration hat-making activity from 11am.

 

Finally, at 8pm on Sunday 8^th May, the Jonathan Wyatt Big Band will put on a free concert of big band music until 10pm, entry is by ticket only. For free tickets call 01603 631631. Dining tickets are also available for PizzaExpress at The Forum and Café Bar tickets are available in Marzanos. Everyone with a ticket will be able to dress up in their 1940s gear and dance the night away.