Surrey Police have recently launched an external engagement survey programme where they are working to understand how to better engage with our communities. They have asked Neighbourhood Watch to distribute the link to the survey.
Here is a chance to have your say regarding Surrey Policing.
Their message is:
Surrey Police are asking for local residents to take part in a short survey about engagement. Would you mind sparing us 10 minutes please to complete a short survey? We want to make sure that you can get the right information from us when you want and need it, and that this information is put where you are most likely to see it. The survey is quick and easy to complete, taking no longer than 10 minutes to complete. Any information you provide is anonymous. Click here to take part >>
https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/1CFFOL/
Residents who volunteered for our own Seale and Sands Community Speedwatch undertook their first session on Seale Lane last week.
One and a half hours later they had clocked around 50 vehicles, of which 18 were reported. The top speed recorded was 55mph.
Training is mostly undertaken online with some hands-on training to familiarise yourself with the equipment. More volunteers are required to help spread the workload, though it’s not onerous.
If you’d like to get involved please email Simon Lipyeat speedwatch@sealeandsands.org
The Parish Council would like to thank all those involved - it should make a real difference to our roads.
County Councillor for the Shalford Division (which includes Seale & The Sands)
Police & Crime Commissioner for Surrey Police Area
In light of the death of the Duke of Edinburgh and his funeral on Saturday, the Parish Council have decided to cancel the scheduled Litter Picking on 17th April
We’re now going to list the planning applications we receive for our area on our website.
The planning applications will be shown on our ‘doc’s & downloads’ page. The direct link is here.
They’ll be shown on one page with the newest application at the top of the page. To find out about the application use the reference number listed when in Guildford Borough Council’s website:
https://www2.guildford.gov.uk/publicaccess/?
Paste it in the search box and it will show all the relevant documents and the status.
Comments about any application can be made on Guildford Borough Council’s website. You can also let the Parish Council know if you have any concerns about a particular application however the planning authority determines the initial decision on an application.
Sometimes we have applications come via Surrey County Council, however usually these can be viewed at G.B.C.’s website. We will advise if different.
With the move into Tier 4 and the increased restrictions we would iike to remind our residents that the Community Support Group is still up and running and helping residents of Seale & Sands.
If you require help with shopping, collecting a prescription, household support or just a friendly chat on the phone they may be able to help you.
You can call our support number 01252 279350 and leave a message - usually a CSG member will call you back within an hour. Alternatively, use our assistance request form on the Coronavirus page on our website: Coronavirus
Please don’t feel alone this Christmas, friends are here to help.
Our war memorial, erected in 1919 originally commemorated those men of Seale (which included The Sands as is it now) who gave their lives in the First World War.
The word ‘SEALE’ inscribed on the west face of the memorial appears to have once been deliberately chiselled out and may have been removed as a precaution to hide the name during the Second World War; this also happened at nearby Shackleford War Memorial. Inscriptions on two seats in the memorial’s enclosure indicate that the enclosure was added in 1947 and was given by Lady Buckingham of Seale Lodge. An inscribed panel was added commemorating those who lost their lives in the Second World War.
The memorial was added to the List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest in 2015 and is listed at Grade II.
This year, few of us were able to attend the Remembrance Sunday commemoration given the Covid-19 restrictions. However, a full service of Remembrance was given and ceremonial duties performed by Mr Malcolm Grant-Howarth, Chairman of Seale and Sands British Legion Branch alongside their Standard Bearers: Ian Holland and Michael Cover (also Parish Councillor). Wreaths were laid by Graham Bearham, Vice-Chairman, on behalf of Seale and Sands British Legion Branch, Martin Lally, Chairman, on behalf of the Seale and Sands British Legion Club and Jason Butcher, Parish Councillor on behalf of Seale and Sands Parish Council.
We will remember them.
1914-1918
Pte. Edwin J Amos R.A.M.C.
Pte. Frank Bicknell Queens R. W. Surrey Regiment
Pte. Arthur Butler Royal Fusiliers
2nd Lt. Tudor R Castle Queens R. W. Surrey Regiment
Capt. Michael Chapman M.C. Grenadier Guards
Stoker Henry W C Dodd Royal Navy
2nd Lt. J Lennox Fetherstonehaugh A. & S. Highlanders
Rifleman George Gardiner London Rifle Brigade
Pte. Frederick Gardner Royal Sussex Regiment
Capt. Markham Giradot Oxford L. I.
Pte. James Gray Essex Regiment
Pte. William L Hedger Royal Fusiliers
Lt. Lyulph W M Howard Queens R. W. Surrey Regiment
Capt. Arthur W Macarthur Onslow 16th Lancers
Sergt. Edwin W Parsons Queens R. W. Surrey Regiment
2nd Lt. Arthur B Penlington M.C. R.F.A.
C.S.M. George Ridgers Devon Regiment
Pte. Harry Trimming R.A.S.C.
Pte. Arthur W Turner Hants Regiment
Pte. Thomas S Turner R.A.S.C.
C.Q.M.S. John Wells D.C.M. Worcester Regiment
Lt. Douglas F De Wend D. of W’s W. Riding Regiment
Pte. James A C Woolgar Canadian Infantry
1939 - 1945
Lieut J F Brownrigg Sherwood Foresters
Corpl. A E Bulbeck Royal Hampshire Regiment
Flight Sergt. E G Cass Royal Air Force
Lieut. C P W Cross Royal Navy
Capt. R A Lindsay East Surrey Regiment
Corpl. E A Papworth Sherwood Foresters
Admiral Sir Tom S V Phillips K.C.B.
Capt. S H M Russell M.P. Coldstream Guards
Lieut. R L S Russell Royal Artillery
Photographs Copyright © Fiona Jones 2020
Meet at 9.30 am at Seale or The Sands Recreation Grounds - equipment to be provided.
Please read the Risk Assessment on our Web site.
Hampton Estate (Hogs Back) - Following the recent public consultation, please see the attached document received from Penfolds Woodland Management
12th July 2020
Woodland Creation Scheme: Hampton Estate (Hogs Back)
Thank you for your comments to our consultation on the proposed creation of a new woodland on the Hogs Back. We thought it would be helpful to set out our response against a number of common themes that emerged from the consultation exercise.
We are not looking for further feedback. Any future consultation will be through the statutory processes once our plans have been finalised, we will be considering all the comments we received as we review our plans.
Historical Context
Firstly it maybe helpful to set out the history of the site as a number of respondents made reference to land use change and ancient meadows. We hope that in setting out how the land has been managed in the past will help to explain why we are now considering woodland creation.
The Hogs Back was once a heavily wooded landscape with only a narrow band of ancient woodland surviving today as a series of small woods that occupy the steepest ground. Common across the whole of the UK our ancient woodlands were gradually cleared to make way for agricultural use, as with the Hogs Back the better and more accessible land was cleared.
The first Estate map of 1793 shows all the land above the ancient woodlands as fields, with the first property, Pitfield House, appearing on the 1871 Ordnance Survey Map with further properties appearing above Great Down on the 1898 & 1920 OS Maps.
The early aerial photo’s show the Hog’s Back in 1949 as a more open landscape than it is today.
Since the war the fields have been farmed for arable crops and pasture, Longdown in the produced low yields of barley. Due to the poor productivity the fields were put into set aside in the early 1990’s, an agricultural scheme to reduce costly food production and deliver environmental benefits and the first countryside stewardship scheme that facilitated permitted access. Following these schemes, the fields were entered into a Higher-Level Stewardship (HLS) agreement that was designed to promote environmentally beneficial management practices. Whilst Great Down was grazed Longdown was mown annually to maintain the vegetation. The HLS agreement ended in 2017.
The Estate wanted to enter the fields into new Countryside Stewardship scheme in 2019 but the fields did not meet the criteria as priority habitat for lowland calcareous grassland. Priority habitats can be found on Defra’s Magic Maps: https://magic.defra.gov.uk/magicmap.aspx
The Estate finally investigated alternative land use options, including vine yards, before settling on woodland creation as a viable option.
Access
A significant number of respondents were concerned over increased traffic on Wood Lane and recreational use of the fields. There was some confusion over the use of the term woodland rides.
• There is currently no public access across the areas identified for tree planting, the only public right of way runs down the eastern side of the site linking the top of Wood Lane to the Puttenham Road. Great Down, Longdown and Little Longdown is private land with no access agreements. For a period access had been granted on a permitted basis linked to the past environmental schemes, these schemes have now finished.
• A woodland ride is a linear trackway designed for access; depending on management, it can have several zones: a central track or pathway, some taller grassland areas either side and then some shrubs and thicket grading into the taller woodland trees.
We do not intend to promote this area for horse riding, there is an existing trial on the Estate that is far more suitable for horse riding.
Wood Lane: There are no plans to create a car park at the top of Wood Lane.
Overall we were surprised at the response to our proposal to allow public access. Whilst there was a majority of people opposed to recreational use of the area, we believe many people did not appreciate there is currently no public access. We agree with the respondent who pointed out that Wood Lane is a public highway and it was unlikely the fields and woodland would become a ‘must see’ destination.
The Estate will take a considered view on public access as our plans develop including residents’ concerns over increased vehicle traffic on Wood Lane.
Botanical Interest
A number of respondents highlighted the importance of chalk grassland as a priority habitat with its associated flora and fauna.
• The consultation exercise has identified additional survey information that is helpful in the development of our plans.
• We have commissioned a phase 2 botanical survey of the site with vegetation mapping to identify areas that are species rich and can be considered as Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) priority.
Overall we were surprised at the response to our proposal to allow public access. Whilst there was a majority of people opposed to recreational use of the area, we believe many people did not appreciate there is currently no public access. We agree with the respondent who pointed out that Wood Lane is a public highway and it was unlikely the fields and woodland would become a ‘must see’ destination.
The Estate will take a considered view on public access as our plans develop including residents’ concerns over increased vehicle traffic on Wood Lane.
Botanical Interest
A number of respondents highlighted the importance of chalk grassland as a priority habitat with its associated flora and fauna.
• The consultation exercise has identified additional survey information that is helpful in the development of our plans.
• We have commissioned a phase 2 botanical survey of the site with vegetation mapping to identify areas that are species rich and can be considered as Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) priority.
• The survey will draw reference to Natural England Technical Note TIN110; Assessing whether created or restored grassland is a BAP Priority Habitat.
• In the development of our plans we will seek to design in open space with species rich areas and provide linkages across the site to help connect adjacent sites, such as the chalk pit, SSSI, at the top of Wood Lane.
Views
Understandably a number of the properties along the ridge were concerned of the potential loss of views.
• We will look closely at the impact of tree planting to the properties concerned. We have already addressed this issue to some extent in our draft proposals, maintaining views for the majority of properties. We will now look at a few properties who have expressed concern in more detail.
• We will consider the landscape impact when looking at the site from the North Downs and Puttenham Common.
Landscape
The fields are within the Surrey Hills AONB, which seeks to conserve and enhance the special landscape qualities of the area.
• Currently the AONB is approximately 40% wooded with the special qualities of the landscape shaped by past human influence on the land. We will seek to develop our plans taking account of AONB management plan aims and objectives.
• There are opportunities to link the ancient woodlands whilst maintaining a proportion of open habitats.
Key will be developing a plan that sits well within the existing landscape.
Too Much Woodland
A number of respondents felt that Surrey already had enough woodland.
• All the political parties at the last election committed to planting more trees, the current administration is committed to planting 30,000 hectares per year of new woodland across the UK, 10,000 ha/year in England. In 2019/2020 just 2330 hectares of new woodland was created in England.
• Surrey CC tree strategy sets a target of planting 1.2 million new trees by 2030.
Clearly there will be different views as to where new woodland should be created. It is likely most new planting will take place on grade 3b agricultural land, like the fields in our proposal, as the best land, agricultural grade 1 and 2, are highly valued for food production whereas the poorest quality land often carries ecological designations or is highly exposed.
Species Choice
There were a few respondents that were pleased to see a variety of species being considered with a general preference towards native broadleaves from other respondents.
• The species listed were identified from Forest Research’s Ecological Site Classification system, with our plans setting out those species that were suitable on the calcareous soils.
• The species list was tested against different climate change scenarios to ensure we had given consideration to a changing climate and how these species were predicted to adapt.
In our draft plans we favoured species that where predicted to grow well on the site and those that were most efficient at carbon sequestration, hence the higher proportion of conifers.
In developing our plans, we will review the species choice to seek to build in resilience to climate change, pest and diseases as well as considering landscape context and bio diversity.
Economic
Very few respondents gave any consideration to the costs of land management associated with their desired land use. Exploring grant support under a new Environmental Land Management scheme (ELMS) the government is currently consulting on and grazing were offered as suggestions with one response recognising the land didn’t currently ‘pay it’s way’.
• Woodland Creation currently appears to offer the best viable option economically for long term sustainable management. Woodland creation attracts grant support, with the potential to create value from carbon sequestration and timber production in time.
• As set out under botanical interest the fields do not qualify for the current countryside stewardship funding to support current land management activities.
The fields are poor quality grazing.
In the absence of management intervention, the fields are slowly reverting back to woodland with prolific natural regeneration of hawthorn across Longdown and Little Longdown. Either the fields need to be annually mown or grazed to maintain the current vegetation.
Fire
There were a few concerns over the risk of wild fire drawing a the Thursley heathland fire this spring as an example.
• It is accepted that wild fire is an increasing risk which applies to a number of land uses including arable crops, heathland, grassland and woodland.
• We believe the risks on Longdown will be low compared to heathland sites. We will design in open mown woodland rides as fire breaks and areas of broadleaved woodland against the boundaries which inherently have a low fire risk.
Almost all wild fires are started through human negligence, with no public access there is little chance of a wild fire starting. We will consider these risks if the Estate choose to grant access in the future.
The Challenge
Finally we hope you will understand the difficulties we face for the future management of these fields. We have explored alternative land uses and at present woodland creation appears to be the best option.
The challenge we now face is that the new woodland is well designed and delivers a multiple of benefits from carbon sequestration through to biodiversity gain. We need to conserve key areas of botanical interest, ensuring the woodland sits comfortably within the landscape whilst maintaining views.
We thank you again for your comments.
With Kind Regards
Kevin Penfold MicFor
4th July 2020 - The Recreation Grounds and Play/Gym Areas are open.
Please read the Guidance and Risk Assessments for your Safety, on our dedicated Coronavirus web page or here:
Surrey County Council is moving forward with improvements to Active Travel, reallocating road space to cyclists and pedestrians.
This can be in the form of:
Pavement widening
New cycle lanes
20mph zones
Any further measure to promote walking or cycling rather than car journeys.
The first phase saw two pilots in Farnham and Reigate and Banstead where road space was removed for cars and advisory 20mph and advisory HGV bans, widened pavements and the introduction of new cycle lanes. The aim is to make the changes permanent in the next few weeks.
Matt Furniss, Surrey County Councillor is keen to hear your views for the Parish if any improvements can be made with new funding made available from Government in order to continue the push for sustainable travel. Particularly around congregation points such as shops, churches or schools.
Ideas for bus improvement are also welcome.
Please email our clerk at clerk@saspc.info and title your email “Active Travel” and send any ideas you have for our villages.
Any questions please do get in touch.
After a series of fly-tipping incidents in The Sands, Guildford Borough Council have identified a culprit who has been dealt with by way of a fixed penalty notice.
The Parish Council would lke to thank the residents who helped with logging each incident and recovering the waste for inspection. We used this information when liasing with GBC’s investigation team where the matter was concluded in a satisfactory result.
An application can be made to the surveying authority, in our case Surrey County Council, to allege a right of way may exist over a piece of land (Map modification application), whether owned privately or publicly.
One such application has been made regarding a path running from the top of the Smugglers Way byway eastwards to Crooksbury common. The application has been made alleging the path should be made a public bridleway. The path is alleged by the applicant to have been in use for some 60 or so years and has submitted user evidence to support his claim. Application submitted on 5th May 2020 here.
The landowner made a Highways Act and Commons Act deposits application in October 2019 which sets out the land owned and any public rights of way over it. An application of this type is common with landowners and some local examples are: Hampton Estate, RSPB and Surrey County Council all of which allow permissive access to their land. Applications are required every 20 years according to law if it is to be kept up to date. A register of these statements can be found here and it shows many applications of this type are made.
A landowner who allows permissive paths, permitted paths, permitted bridleways or any access across their land can: (not exhaustive) modify the route or access, can impose restrictions on how (ie footpath, bridleway, no dogs etc.)and when (ie daylight hours only) it can be used or close the path entirely without any notice to anyone - it is their land afterall. No statutory rights are given or implied in doing so.
Currently Surrey County Council have a backlog of Map Modification applications and the Parish Council has been advised that if there are objections this application may take 4-5 years to come to a conclusion for either an order be raised for it to be made a right of way or not.
Once an application has been made the surveying authority has a duty towards ‘the discovery of evidence’ under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to continue with the process even if the applicant withdraws the application.
Users of permissive paths should acknowledge landowner’s generosity in allowing the public to access their land.
There are some circumstances when wearing a face covering may be marginally beneficial as a precautionary measure. The evidence suggests that wearing a face covering does not protect you, but it may protect others if you are infected but have not yet developed symptoms. This is most relevant for short periods indoors in crowded areas.
If you can, wear a face covering in an enclosed space where social distancing isn’t possible and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet. You should be prepared to remove your face covering if asked to do so by police officers and police staff for the purposes of identification.
A face covering is not the same as the surgical masks or respirators used by healthcare and other workers as part of personal protective equipment. These should continue to be reserved for those who need them to protect against risks in their workplace, such as health and care workers, and those in industrial settings, like those exposed to dust hazards.
Wearing a face covering is optional and is not required by the law. If you choose to wear one, it is important to use face coverings properly and wash your hands before putting them on and after taking them off.
The same link as above also shows you how to make your own face mask
A resident of Seale & Sands is offering to make face masks if you are unable to make your own. Please contact Liz Crawford liz.littleworth@icloud.com - 07973 625777
After the Government’s announcement on Sunday 10th May 2020 the following guidance has been updated and published:
The Government’s FAQ ‘What you can and can’t do’ guide updated on 11th May 2020 can be found here.
The Government’s ‘Staying safe outside your home’ published on 11th May 2020 can be found here.
After the Government’s announcement on Sunday we are now able to open our recreation grounds for exercise. The childrens play area remain closed and officially the football pitches are closed.
All social distancing rules apply. Common sense should prevail if in doubt.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic the Government has temporarily amended the law surrounding parish council meetings making them permissible via telephone and online methods with no legal requirement to hold them in person.
With these new powers we will hold our first online meeting on 18th May 2020 at 7.30pm and members of the public will be able to attend and take part in the public forum as per the Agenda. The meeting will be conducted as per a normal meeting via the Zoom app.
You do not need to download the Zoom application software to your device as it’s possible to join the meeting via your web browser, however Zoom will want to download its plugin software for the browser. You can choose to download and setup Zoom in advance of the meeting if you prefer as it may offer more functionality, plus it’s easy to do and free to sign up. Find Zoom here.
Important - You will need the Zoom meeting invitation link so please contact our clerk: clerk@saspc.info who will require some details from you and then send you the link and password - requests for the link must be made before 6.30pm on the day of the meeting but ideally well in advance. If you have any queries about the online meeting please let us know in good time.
If you do wish to join in please observe good online meeting etiquette, some of which includes: being in a quiet environment free from distractions, turn off phone and other device notifications, read the agenda beforehand. When in doubt, just practice common courtesy.
All future meetings of this type will be advertised on our notice boards via the Agenda and on our website.
We look forward to seeing you online.
The Parish Council welcomes the efforts of any resident to help with reporting fly-tipping within the villages to Guildford Borough Council.
Even if you intend to try to clear it up yourself it is important to log the fly tipping with Guildford Borough Council. GBC’s online reporting tool is easy to use and usually very effective at getting things like this sorted quickly and if they don’t we have a contact trail and timeline to hold them to account.
Logging the fly-tipping will show GBC the number of occurrences of fly-tipping in our villages which could prove useful in the future and it also gives them the possibility of attempting to identify the culprits through the waste material.
GBC’s online reporting tool is here:
https://www.guildford.gov.uk/report
And report it under fly-tipping. It helps to have photographs of the waste to upload when reporting.
If you complete your details GBC will inform you of it’s progress and when it has been cleared.
Alternatively you can call 01483 505050
Additional infomation about reporting to GBC or Surrey County Council can be found here.
If you are self-isolating, feel you need support or you would like to help others, please contact us:
To help you
Call our Community Helpline on 01483 444400 or go online at www.guildford.gov.uk/home for help with food, prescription collection and support for yourself -or you can register a relative, friend or neighbour on their behalf (helpline is open Mon-Fri 8.30am-7pm and Sat and Sun 10-2pm and Bank Holidays).
Call our Safe and Settled team on 01483 444476 if you have recently come home from hospital or are struggling to manage at home. We can help with adaptations, urgent repairs to your home and also answer queries about private tenancy agreements and landlord disputes. (Telephone lines are open Monday-Friday 8.30am-5pm and from 10-2pm on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays).
To help others
Call 01483 505050 if you would like to volunteer to help others and we will put you in touch with community groups.
Leader of the Council, Cllr Caroline Reeves thanks all residents for continuing to follow the government guidance and urges everyone to #StayHomeToSavelives.
Please remember:
No volunteer should ask you for exchange of money or bank card details
Nobody should enter your property
All items should be left on your doorstep
If you have any concerns with callers at your doorstep, please call Guildford Borough Council on 01483 505050 or if it is an emergency and you feel at risk please call 999
To keep up to date with everything about Guildford please sign up at www.guildford.gov.uk/aboutguildford
Her Majesty The Queen to send a message to the nation to mark 75th anniversary of VE Day - 9pm.
His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales will read an extract from King George VI’s diary from 8 May 1945
Members of The Royal Family, the Prime Minister and the Culture Secretary will take part in video calls with Second World War veterans
Churchill’s famous victory speech will be broadcast as part of BBC special programming
A national moment of remembrance will take place with a two minute silence as Culture Secretary calls on the public to mark the occasion at home
Second World War veterans will receive calls from NHS Volunteer Responders
The UK Government has announced revised plans to commemorate the 75th anniversary of VE Day which will include an address from Her Majesty The Queen.
In line with government guidance, the original plans for VE Day 75, which included a veteran procession, had to be adjusted due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has announced a new programme that will allow members of the public to remember and give thanks to the Second World War generation from the safety of their own homes.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said:
We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to the greatest generation that served in combat and on the home front during the Second World War.
Whilst we now need to celebrate VE 75 in our homes and on our doorsteps, rather than in parades and street parties, I know the nation will come together to mark this historic occasion.
In these difficult times, acts of remembrance are even more poignant and I am sure that millions will want to join me to remember and give thanks to those who gave so much to secure peace, freedom and prosperity in Europe.
To mark this historic occasion, Her Majesty The Queen will send a message to the nation at 9pm on BBC One, the exact moment her father, King George VI, gave a radio address in 1945.
His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales will read an extract from King George VI’s diary from 8 May 1945 which describes the day including The Royal Family’s iconic Buckingham Palace balcony appearances.
Members of The Royal Family, the Prime Minister and the Culture Secretary will take part in a series of video calls with Second World War veterans and those who served on the Home Front. First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford will also host calls with veterans in Wales. The official commemorations will begin at 11am with a national moment of remembrance and a two minute silence.
Other plans for the day include:
As part of special BBC programming, extracts from Sir Winston Churchill’s victory speech will recreate the moment peace in Europe was announced 75 years ago at 3pm and the Prime Minister will speak about the importance of VE Day.
The Archbishop of Canterbury will record a special reflection and moment of prayer for VE Day.
Her Majesty The Queen’s 9pm address to the nation will be followed by a national singalong of Dame Vera Lynn’s ‘We’ll Meet Again’. The public will be encouraged to open their doors and join in with this national moment of celebration.
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has produced a template pack so that the public can hold a 1940s style afternoon tea party at home complete with homemade VE Day bunting, original recipes, games, and educational and creative activities for children.
NHS Volunteer Responders will be deployed to give a number of Second World War veterans a call and provide an opportunity to share their stories.
Historian and broadcaster Dan Snow will host history lessons for children from Monday 4 May. At 4pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Dan will host a History Hit live on YouTube’s Timeline channel that will focus on a different aspect of the Second World War and aim to teach the public about the importance of VE Day.
The Government and Ancestry are working together to encourage the public to join together in commemorating VE Day by discovering their own connection to the Second World War. As part of this, all UK historical records available on ancestry.co.uk will be free for the public from Monday 4 May until Sunday 10 May, giving people the opportunity to uncover the personal stories of the Second World War and the roles their families played.
Legion Scotland and Poppyscotland will broadcast a virtual Service of Remembrance followed by online tributes from a range of performers.
The First Minister of Wales will host a video call to veterans.
A number of commemorative events will also take place across Northern Ireland.
The Royal British Legion’s Assistant Director of Commemorative Events, Bob Gamble OBE, said:
As we face some of the most challenging times since the Second World War, now more than ever it is important to unite in recognition of people’s service to the nation, just as communities did 75 years ago.
With members of the public unable to attend VE Day 75 events, we are calling on people across the UK to mark the anniversary from home and take part in these national moments of remembrance and thanksgiving. There is no right or wrong way to take part in the Silence at 11am, some people may wish to stand at their windows or step outside their front door, but we hope that individuals and families across the UK will embrace the opportunity to share in a national moment of reflection.
Russell James, Family History expert at Ancestry®, said:
> VE Day is one of the most significant moments in British history and Ancestry is proud to be working with the UK government to help the nation commemorate its 75th anniversary from their homes. Stories of WWII are something we share not only within our families, but as a nation, so using this time to learn about those experiences through historical records and speaking to our relatives gives us all an opportunity to feel connected – to our family and to people all over the country.