15th August 2020
Whilst VE Day (Victory in Europe) marked the end of the war in Europe in May 1945, many
thousands of Armed Forces personnel were still engaged in bitter fighting in the Far East.
Victory over Japan would come at a heavy price, and Victory over Japan Day (VJ Day) marks
the day Japan surrendered on 15 August 1945, which in effect ended the Second World War.
The plan to ring in all the towers in Rutland on VJ Day wasn’t possible with the current Covid 19 restrictions in place. However, a few towers did ring to mark 75 years of the ending of WW2, whilst observing social distancing measures and wearing face masks/coverings.
Caldecott Mary Davidson, Judy Lea, John Nicolls, Brian Newman
Plain Hunt with decaying rounds into the 11:00 silence.
Gt Casterton Ann Archer, Don McGarrigle, Jon Peacock
Call changes for about 20 minutes followed by tolling in rounds 25 times (making a total of 75 tolls).
Hambleton A single bell was chimed 75 times. The declaration was read and a group of socially distanced hand bell ringers from Ketton and Hambleton performed 4 methods and a selection of forces related music / songs.
Ketton David Rippin chimed 75 times on bell No 4 to mark 75 years since the end of the war. The Rev Olwen Woolcock said a prayer and read out the declaration from Bruno Peek, which was followed with the chiming.
Tinwell Simon Forster chimed a single bell 75 times, a bugle played last post and reveille either side of the silence, and the declaration was read through a megaphone.
Uppingham Sue Webster, Ted Phillips, Thomas Saunders, Brian Newman
Ringing of rounds after a wreath laying ceremony.
Whissendine Janet Underwood, Peter Furness, Dave Brown, John and Julia Brookes.
Half muffled ringing for 25 minutes. before a small wreath laying ceremony.
Prayers were led by Rev Deborah Marsh.
St Peter & St Paul, Uppingham
All Saints, Oakham
Short ceremonies were held in Whissendine, Oakham &
Uppingham. Wreaths were laid at the war memorials in each location by Dr Sarah Furness, Lord Lieutenant of Rutland, and Richard Cole, High Sheriff of Rutland.
