Choirs mark VE Day singing White Cliffs of Dover

A choir stands in a group looking at the camera and waving union jack flags and many wearing the same blue white and red colours.Image source, Buskerteers Choir
Image caption,

The choirs will sing the song at their weekly rehearsals

  • Published

Members of more than 20 community choirs will mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day with a rendition of Dame Vera Lynn's wartime classic The White Cliffs of Dover.

Buskerteers Choirs will perform the song at rehearsals including in Haywards Heath, Ipswich, Crawley and Brighton.

Footage from across the south and east of England will be compiled into montages, to be shared by the choirs.

The campaign is raising money for the Royal British Legion, supporting veterans and their families.

A screen grab of a video which is split in to four quarters with a different choir seen in each one. One group is holding a large union jack and some are holding sheet music and singing.Image source, Buskerteers Choir
Image caption,

The performances are being added to a montage

Founder Andrew Small says the choir is "incredibly proud" to be marking the anniversary with the song which he says "so beautifully captures the spirit of hope during wartime".

He said: "As we aim to raise £1,000 for the Royal British Legion, we do so in heartfelt remembrance of those who made immense sacrifices for our freedom.

"It's more important than ever that we come together to honour their legacy and ensure their stories are never forgotten."

Grey banner reading "More on VE Day 80"
A red, white and blue divider.

The song was one of several of Dame Vera Lynn's which helped raise morale during World War Two.

VE Day marked the end of World War Two in Europe when huge crowds took to the streets on 8 May 1945 to sing, dance and rejoice after nearly six years of war.

The Buskerteers Choir includes 28 community choirs which are open to everyone and they aim to raise £1m for charity through busking and performance.

Videos will also feature choirs in Chelmsford, Cambridge, the New Forest, Bury St Edmunds and Bournemouth among others.

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