THIS weekend the clock tower of Barrow’s Town Hall will be lit up in red, white and blue to mark the 75th anniversary of VJ day.
The significant occasion, which takes place tomorrow, Saturday, August 15, will commemorate 75 years since the official end of the Second World War in Japan.
With social distancing measures in place, Barrow residents will be encouraged to take part in a two-minute silence at 11am. This will be observed at the Forum and at The Dock Museum.
In line with government advice, VJ Day events and celebrations have been scaled back nationally.
Councillor Anita Husband said: “Due to the coronavirus pandemic and with social distancing guidelines still very much in place to help stop the spread of the disease this year’s anniversary will be very different.
“However, as a borough, we should still remember those who sacrificed their lives for us. The clock tower will be lit up in beautiful colours of red, white and blue and as long as people adhere to social distancing there will be a two-minute silence held at the Forum and at the Dock Museum.
“However, I’d also like to really encourage everyone to commemorate VJ Day in their own way at home. It’s imperative that we take the time to pay our respects.”
A union flag will also fly at full-mast at the town hall from this evening until Monday.
His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales along with Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall will be leading the national two-minute silence at 11 am at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire as part of a special televised service.
A number of resources to help people celebrate and decorate their homes, including bunting, colouring pictures and VE Day posters, are available to download and print from the website https://ve-vjday75.gov.uk/
