The nationwide celebrations over the weekend 8 to 10 May to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day have obviously been severely curtailed because of the Wuhan Virus pandemic.

However, we can all make an effort to unpack the bunting and fly the flag from our homes on Friday 8 May. Also, Charlotte Tomlin, currently residing at 20 Bridgefoot and who plays in brass bands and orchestras, will sound the Last Post and Reveille at the War Memorial in Rosedale Abbey on Friday at 2.55pm. Clearly, rules on social gatherings must apply but it is suggested that people in the village and dale might like to stand in their doorways at that time and raise a toast in memory of all who suffered and died in the Second World War and especially the three men of the dale who fell and the other 32 who served in that conflict.