Hello everyone! I hope you and all of your families are well in these uncertain times.

It feels strange that our ‘normal’ day has completely changed. 

As some of you may know already, I LOVE History! It’s fantastic to learn about past people and events who have helped mould our world today. 

My Grandad, who is 86 years old now, always tells me about his war stories. He was a young boy back then but remembers it so clearly. A time of unrest; a time of mourning; a time where people’s usual day changed. I’ve been on many trips with Grandad- The Black Country Museum, Severn Valley Railway and The Back to Back Houses in Birmingham to name a few- however it’s his own personal stories that I truly love. His knowledge and passion when talking about the times he had during World War 2 is admirable, and they are not all negative memories. Now, my Grandad was a mischievous young boy, one who loved to spend all of his ration on sweets as soon as he could, one who would walk miles to go and get the coal for the family fire but always take too long as he needed to see his friends and one who enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and making memories.  

 I love looking at the old photographs. One particularly stood out to me and I phoned my Grandad this week to send it to me so that I could share it with you all. He would always tell me about VE Day growing up, the day towards the end of WWII when the fighting against Nazi Germany in Europe was declared over. Below is a photograph of Grandad as a young boy, he lived in Kendal Rise Road in Rednal. 

 He said that the road up to them had a better street party than him but he had fun with his friends whilst trying to put the Union Jack flag up across the road, throwing it over chimneys. He told me that the sandwiches consisted of a small scrape of margarine as butter was not available and small pieces of cheese, along with some Tizer pop and cups of tea. Everybody put some of their cheese ration in, made cakes and other bits as rations still continued for years after the War. Grandad tells me that sweets were the last to come off rations.  

Friday 8th May 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of VE Day. It was a time of celebration, joyful singing and socialising with neighbours, friends and families. A time where the frightful air-raid sirens ended, a time where Grandad and all the other people in those days rejoiced at the end of the War. You might have family members who were alive in the war, phone them today, talk to them and ask them questions. I’m sure you’ll find yourself very curious, very inquisitive.  

I have collected some informative power-points and some resources for you (please see attached resources). It would be great if you could learn about VE Day, maybe make your own family street party, cook some wartime recipes, sing some wartime songs or just research something that interests you about VE Day.  

I’m going to leave you with some videos. Some share information about WWII, one that Horrible Histories has created, and finally, a personal favourite Wartime song that I sing regularly with my Nan and Grandad. 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_uk_6vfqwTA 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fo2Rb9h788s 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/watch/horrible-histories-songs-ve-day-song 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HsM_VmN6ytk 

Remember to keep safe, hug your loved ones close, phone the loved ones you sadly cannot see and stay at home! In years to come, we will be telling the younger generation about what we all did during Covid-19 just like my Nan and Grandad and some of your family members talk to us about the ‘olden days’. 

Take care, 

Miss High (History subject coordinator) x