Rotary confirms Leighton Buzzard’s special VE Day celebrations are cancelled due to Coronavirus crisis

The town’s May Day Fayre format had been due to morph into a “gentler, less commercial” VE Day anniversary Saturday event in 2020, after the government moved the early May bank holiday from May 4 to May 8 for national commemorations.

The Rotary Club of Leighton Linslade in partnership with Leighton-Linslade Town Council had planned to stage the VE Day Fayre in Parson’s Close Recreation Ground on Saturday, May 9.

Residents would have been invited to step back in time, as the day was set to have a 1940s theme, including historical exhibits and activities, complete with a performance from a cohort of the Military Wives Choir who are based at RAF Halton. Rotary had also applied for an RAF flypast.

A Rotary statement sent to the LBO revealed: “Regretfully the Rotary Club of Leighton Linslade in consultation with the Leighton-Linslade Town Council and other partners has decided in the light of recent government guidance on COVID 19 to cancel the 75th anniversary VE Day celebrations scheduled for Saturday 9th May 2020.

“We are determined that in 2021 we will bring back our traditional May Day Fayre on Monday, May 3 and we hope to carry forward many of the things planned for this year including the planned Ration Card Scheme for those over 75 years old and if possible much of the 1940’s themed entertainment.”

Richard Johnson, from the Rotary Club, added: “We are all saddened to have to cancel this special celebration but we are living in challenging times, rest assured Rotary will do its utmost to ensure the 2021 May Fayre is something our whole community can enjoy, embrace and celebrate.”

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