Last Friday, I joined residents of Bryn Gaer to remember those who had given so much during World War Two as part of VE Day 75th Anniversary commemorations in the street.
We observed the two minutes silence at 11am as part of a strictly socially distanced event attended by residents who remained in their own front gardens.
Organised by Dafen councillor, Rob Evans, the occasion included an exhibition of the wartime memorabilia of Dennis Allan Cleaver, including a map and handwritten record of all the bombing raids he went on whilst in Bomber Command which has been preserved by his son, Wayne Cleaver, who present at the event. The items were displayed in the garden of Mr Dai Twist who had also found recordings of the Last Post and the two national anthems for his friends and neighbours to sing along to.
Despite the COVID-19 restrictions in place, people in Bryn Gaer were still keen to show their respects and did so in a very touching and emotional way. People maintained a safe distance at all times for the duration of the 11 0’clock commemoration but it was an important way of gathering together to remind ourselves of the sacrifices that many people made to give us the freedoms that we enjoy today.