Tomorrow marks a really important milestone in our country?s history ? the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe. It is right that we all take a moment to remember the efforts and sacrifices made on our behalf by soldiers and citizens at the time. Although social distancing measures have led to the cancellation of all the planned gatherings and parties this year there is still plenty going on to celebrate from home.

We?ve created the ?HOME Front? web page to help families and households join in. HOME Front runs alongside the City Council?s #StayingHome website which offers advice, support and ideas for learning and entertainment during lockdown. The activities we?ve highlighted compliment the Royal British Legion?s programme of activities so we can pay tribute, as a city and as a nation, to the entire Second World War generation.

Activities for the day includes:

• Two-minute silence at 11am
• Invite to celebrate ?virtually? the Nation?s Toast at 3pm by raising a glass, cheering, and clapping on doorsteps
• Details of the BBC concert running from 8pm and the Queen?s Address at 9pm

Nottingham?s Council House will be joining in with the celebrations and will be lit up red, white and blue to mark the occasion.

Find out more about how VE Day will be marked in Nottingham here: Nottingham: VE Day 75 where you will also find Home Front resources so you and your family can join in with the celebration.

Whist many of us are doing our bit by staying home and doing what we can from there to support our families, communities and local businesses, there are key groups of people whose daily lives involves them working on the front line of the pandemic. Whether it?s those working in the NHS and other caring roles, or any of the key workers keeping the country moving ? we want them to know how much the work they?re doing means to us. So, one again at 8pm this evening we will applaud them all and give them our heartfelt thanks.

We look set for very British weather this bank holiday weekend ? periods of both sunshine and rain! As we approach the long weekend, it is vitally important that we continue to observe government instructions to stay at home and follow social distancing guidelines. I know it has been tough and its particularly disappointing to have to cancel events at a time of national celebration but staying at home really does save lives so thank you to all of you who continue to observe this.

Keep you and your family safe by the following the latest Government guidelines - Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: what you can and can't do