Virus will not defeat VE Day celebrations in Chorley where a unique online remembrance service has been produced

But in Chorley, it has not defeated attempts to celebrate 75th anniversary celebrations of VE Day on Friday. (May 8)

Local historian Stuart Clewlow is currently working with St Laurence’s Church to present a unique online Remembrance Service

He explained: “Basically, I have worked with Rev Kelley to take the Order of Service that had been intended for VE Day and pre-record it for people to watch online.

“However, the silver lining is that it has allowed us to enhance the service with local history information, photographs and even cine film of Chorley during World War Two.

“With additional commentaries from the Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Bishop of Burnley and many others, we are extremely excited about being able to share this with everybody.”

The Rector of Chorley and Chaplain to the Mayor of Chorley, Fr Neil Kelley, said: “although it’s deeply sad that we cannot physically gather in the town to mark this important anniversary, nonetheless we are still marking it online.

“In fact we may end up with far more people watching it and participating from home.

“I am hoping this will be a fitting and appropriate way to honour the sacrifices that were made for our freedom.

The pre-recorded online service video will be available for people to watch from 3pm on Friday at www.stlaurencechorley.co.uk

Plans to commemorate VE Day in May and VJ Day in August had been being developed since November 2019 by Local Historian Stuart Clewlow (pictured), Chorley Council, St

Laurence’s Parish Church and the Chorley Branch of the Royal British Legion. Despite the current set backs, many things have been rearranged to be delivered in a different format.

Opposite Chorley Town Hall, a VE Day and VJ Day display has been placed in the windows and is catching the eye of many passers by whilst commuting to work or taking their daily exercise.

Stuart Clewlow said “Its a shame that the coronavirus has affected so many plans and wiped out a lot of hard work, but in true form, we adapt and make the best of a bad situation. I had intended on setting up a display of local military artefacts to acknowledge the anniversaries but this has been changed to be a display of images of what would have been on show. Chorley Council have been a great support.”

“For me its quite poignant to be involved in delivering ways for us to acknowledge VE Day and VJ Day. Some of my first local history displays and presentations were for the 1995 anniversaries and to still be in a position to build upon that 25 years later is great and there was no way I Chorley and District was not going to be seen as doing its bit to mark the occasion.”

A Facebook group called “Chorley & District in World War Two” has been set up and is full of interesting information and local photos. It has become a place where people are leaving tributes to follow members involved in the war and a resource of questions and answers about the subject matter. A number of local history pdf files having even been made available on the page for people to access during the lockdown to read, learn from and enjoy.

Stuart ended by acknowledging that across the Borough people seem to be talking about hosting lockdown parties and dressing their houses in bunting to acknowledge the anniversary.

“Its great to see that people are making the best of a bad situation. Chorley and District has a great reputation for commemorating and celebrating its heritage and especially anniversaries connected to the Armed Forces. Despite the current situation, we can all rest assured that we have done our bit to commemorate.”