
VE Day care parcels handed out in Derbyshire to fight loneliness
A Derbyshire charity is crafting VE Day care packages to help battle loneliness.Susan Seal, a volunteer for New Leaf Derby, came up with the idea to provide a teatime treat for people who might be isolated and alone on 8 May, when the country marks 80 years since the end of World War Two.The parcels will be delivered by a team of about 40 volunteers and contain a VE celebration plate, cup and serviette, alongside a teabag and Union Jack cupcake, and activities including a themed wordsearch and memories from a lady who was five when the conflict ended.Ms Seal said: "Sometimes these special days double the feeling of inadequacy and loneliness."
New Leaf Derby works to improve the lives of vulnerable households referred to them with small gestures designed to make a big difference.
Reaching out
Help can range from putting up curtains and flat pack furniture, to arranging letters to be sent to people living alone, to decluttering people's homes.Ms Seal said people were more used to reaching out over celebrations like Easter and Christmas, but one-off occasions like VE Day were equally as difficult for people on their own.She said: "These small things have quite a large impact, particularly on people who live on their own."Our motto is, we try to make a house a home."With VE Day coming up, when other people are celebrating, they can have their own little party with something to eat, a nice cup of tea and lots of bits and pieces they can look at, to show somebody's thinking about them."

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Wales Online
2 days ago
- Wales Online
The latest postcode lottery winners in Wales as two areas win big
The latest postcode lottery winners in Wales as two areas win big People living in two parts of Wales are celebrating significant windfalls Swansea residents Dimuthu, Alan, Tracey, Gemma, and Kay-Marie with Danyl Johnson (third-left), from the People's Postcode Lottery (Image: The Postcode Lottery ) People living in 24 streets in Wales have landed cash windfalls over the course of the last 30 days thanks to the People's Postcode Lottery and two groups of residents in particular have a huge reason to celebrate. While postcode lottery players in 17 different areas banked a cool £1,000 each there was a particularly special reason to celebrate for those living on CF38 2RE in Llantwit Fardre after receiving cheques for a whopping £33,333 each on May 31. And life was even sweeter for 11 neighbours living in SA1 6XS in Swansea, who won £90,909 each on Saturday, May 10. Among them was mum-of-three Gemma Archer who suffered a serious injury on Easter Sunday while roller-skating and required major surgery. Within 24 hours her life was changed for the better when she won a share the prize. She said: "I was in hospital having an operation and the very next day I've won over £90,000. I'm still in shock. I couldn't breathe. It's life-changing. I just really, really wasn't expecting it. It's really strange as it doesn't happen to people like me. "For the first time in two and half weeks there is no pain right now. The adrenaline and everything have just kicked in. I'm in a world of my own." Click here to read more. Article continues below It was a particularly lucky month for Swansea with six separate streets banking cash. Players pay £12 per month to enter the £1,000 daily draw and there's also a weekly draw on a Thursday that awards £10 each to players in 1,000 postcodes. One third of the price of every ticket bought is donated to charity. People's Postcode Lottery is a subscription lottery which raises money for charities. Players win cash prizes and good causes receive support. Players sign up with their postcode and pay £12 per month. They are then automatically entered into every draw and prizes are announced every day of the month. A total of 33% of the ticket price goes to charities. For money-saving tips sign up to our Money newsletter here. People's Postcode Lottery winners between May 10 and June 6: June 6 CF3 0AS - £1,000 (St Mellons, Cardiff) CH5 3QF - £1,000 (Hawarden, Deeside) June 5 SA8 3DF - £1,000 (Pontardawe, Swansea) June 4 CF31 3DB - £1,000 (Bridgend) SA62 6AN - £1,000 (Roch, Pembrokeshire) June 3 CF47 0NA (Merthyr Tydfil) - £1,000 June 2 CF81 9RN (Pontlottyn) June 1 SA61 2TY - £1,000 (Haverfordwest) SA1 6FQ - £1,000 (Swansea) May 31 CF38 2RE - £33,333 (Llantwit Fardre) May 30 LL54 5BJ - £1,000 (Trefor) May 29 CF24 4BG - £1,000 (Cardiff) May 28 CF81 9BP - £1,000 (Aberbargoed) May 22 NP10 9FR - £1,000 (Rogerstone) May 20 CH4 0FT- £1,000 (Flintshire) May 19 SY16 2BT - £1,000 (Newtown) SA3 4TF- £1,000 (Swansea) May 16 SA2 0FL- £1,000 (Swansea) May 15 SA3 3JJ - £1,000 (Swansea) May 14 CF36 3AY - £1,000 (Porthcawl) SA11 3ET - £1,000 (Neath) May 13 CF48 4NW - £1,000 (Aberfan) May 12 SA13 2ND - £1,000 (Port Talbot) May 10 Article continues below SA1 6XS - £90,909 (Swansea) Get daily news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here. We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. See our Privacy Notice.


Powys County Times
3 days ago
- Powys County Times
Llandrindod club disappointed after VE Day flag vandalised
THE Royal British Legion in Llandrindod Wells has expressed disappointment after a flag commemorating VE Day was vandalised. The club reiterated its support for veterans living in and from the town after the incident, which is believed to have occurred sometime after May 8, which marked the 80th anniversary of VE Day. 'We are disappointed to see vandalism to the VE flag and ropes, that were erected in commemoration of VE Day,' read a post on the Llandrindod Wells - Royal British Legion Facebook page on May 31. 'It is such shame to have to experience this lack of regard for the veterans, both men and women, that served and defended our country so we can enjoy the freedoms we have today. 'Their sacrifice and dedication deserve our gratitude and respect. 'For those that have served and are still serving in our armed forces, we appreciate and honour your dedication to serving your country, ensuring our freedom and way of life.' The news sparked anger locally, with one commenter replying: 'It's heartbreaking that every village in UK has a nucleus of this class of person now. 'Smashing and vandalising everything they see. Tragic really that parents have lost control over their kids.' One other said the vandalism 'makes my blood boil', while the behaviour of whoever was responsible was labelled 'disgraceful', 'disgusting' and 'disrespectful'. Others branded those responsible 'mindless yobs' and 'disrespectful toerags'. It leaves a sour taste following impeccable organisation of and attendance at a number of events held in Llandrindod to commemorate VE Day. VE Day in the spa town was marked throughout the week, including on Sunday, May 11, with a service being held at the town's war memorial, on Temple Street, adjacent to the Metropole Hotel, and led by Rev Andrew Tweed. 'Our mayor, Cllr Marcia Morgan, laid wreaths on behalf of the community at the war memorial and hospital,' said Llandrindod Wells Town Council in a post. 'It was lovely to see so many people in attendance and particularly the current and previous servicemen and women. 'Congratulations to Llandrindod Wells Royal British Legion for working so hard on this important commemoration.' Town Crier Jan Swindale had previously organised a VE Day 80 proclamation event on May 8, while choirs from both Ysgol Cefnllys and Ysgol Trefonnen performed. The celebrations had started on May 5 with a family tea party at the Royal British Legion premises on Tremont Road.

Western Telegraph
4 days ago
- Western Telegraph
Dad's Army star's Arthur Lowe's Pembrokeshire connection
The fundraising event is being staged at the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre, and to promote it, volunteer Peter Mitchell has dressed up as the legendary Captain Mainwaring of the Walmington Home Guard, who was played in the nostalgic series by actor Arthur Lowe. Arthur Lowe, who died in 1982, in his famous Dad's Army role as Captain Mainwaring. (Image: Dad's Army Wiki/Fandom) Arthur Lowe had a direct connection with Pembroke Dock. In 1940 he was a Sergeant in the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment and he well remembered the devastating German Air Force attacks on the town. The 1940s Big Band Dance takes place in Pembroke Dock on Saturday June 21 and commemorates the 80th anniversaries of VE and VJ-Days as well as the end of the Second World War. The dance will be held in a marquee sponsored by the Port of Milford Haven and located alongside one of the historic flying boat hangars in the former Royal Dockyard. Peter and Marilyn Mitchell don their Forties gladrags in readiness for the dance. (Image: Martin Cavaney Photography) Recreating the memorable Glenn Miller style wartime music will be the Phil Dando Big Band while Peri Lynn - formerly known as Peri Thomas and who is from the town - will perform her Vera Lynn tribute. We'll Meet Again duo, Peter Mitchell as Captain Mainwaring and Perri Lynn as Vera Lynn. (Image: Martin Cavaney Photography) Also taking part will be the Pembrokeshire Lindy Hoppers dance team who hold weekly classes in Pembroke Dock. Funds raised will support a unique heritage project – the return of the RAF Pembroke Dock Memorial Window to the town. Originally unveiled 80 years ago in what is now the Heritage Centre, the window has for the last 30 years been displayed at the RAF Museum in London. Tickets for this never-to-be-repeated Forties Dance are available, at £25, from the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre (Tel 01646 684220); Pembroke Dock Town Council offices in Dimond Street (Tel 01646 684110) or online via Eventbrite. Street food vendors will be supporting the dance.