Beverley’s Virtual VE Day Nominated For National Award

Beverley’s big commemoration plans to mark the 75th anniversary of VE day with parades and street parties had to be put on hold last year because of the pandemic.

But a creative partnership between the Town Council, a local media producer, community radio station and the HEY SMILE Foundation, ensured the show went on, virtually.

The concept developed by Beverley Town Council was brought to life by locally based Blue Aurora Media. They created radio programmes, podcasts, and videos to engage the community.

A dedicated Facebook page reached tens of thousands of people across East Yorkshire and beyond, and featured the memories of local residents, archive recordings, tributes and music from the era.

Beverley Town Councillors joined in the commemorations and tributes via Zoom and even rehearsed the performance of the late Vera Lynn’s ‘We’ll Meet Again’. Beverley and East Riding residents were encouraged to join in from home with their own VE Day 75 themed garden parties and ringing bells on their doorsteps.

The campaign has been nominated to this year’s prestigious ARIAS (Audio & Radio Industry Awards), presented by the Radio Academy for outstanding radio programmes and podcasts. Producers are waiting to hear if it will make the shortlist that goes forward to the awards ceremony on 26th May, in an event taking place in London’s glittering West End.

“We were delighted with the outcome and the very high quality of the radio programmes and podcasts,” said Blue Aurora Media Founder and Producer Jonathan Levy. “It’s great to be put forward for such a prestigious award.”

A spokesperson from Beverley Town Council said:

“It is an honour for this project to be nominated for an ARIAS award.  Congratulations to Jonathan Levy for his innovative work, which was put together during one of the most challenging times this country has experienced since the Second World War itself. 

“Beverley Town Council would like to thank everyone who was involved, especially all those who told their family stories and recollections of wartime Beverley.  These recordings form an important lasting record of a pivotal moment in both national and local history, and it is wonderful for the project to be acknowledged with this prestigious nomination.”