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VE Day 80 � why we should remember.

8th May 2025 � the 80th anniversary of VE day. Victory in Europe. The official end of the Second World War in Europe. The end of the most devasting war in human history. The end of six years of death, chaos, hatred, genocide, economic turmoil, loss, fear and the evil of human against his (or her) fellows. Between 70-80 MILLION people died, and many more were wounded, sometimes permanently, or displaced. 80 MILLION!!!!!

There have been several headlines stating 4 in 10 Brits don’t understand what VE day signifies. I was shocked, and saddened by this. My parents had both served in the military, and my father was wounded in action and lost most of the sight in one eye. I was brought up to understand what had happened during WWII, and the history of Europe in the 20th century. My grandparents took in a Jewish refugee, my best friend was the decendent of an Eastern European woman of Jewish heritage who that had fled the pogroms as a child, and whose family had died in the gas camps.

There were reminders of the war, it’s cost and what the liberation of Europe meant. Everywhere. From the buildings destroyed in the blitz, to families whose grandparents or parents hadn’t come home, or, worse, been exterminated by a vicious regime. I’d be surprised if there’s not a family in Western Europe who had not been touched in some way by the second world war.

17 million people were killed by the Nazi regime � Jews, gay people, disabled, socialists, Jehovah Witnesses, Romany/Gypsy, Soviet prisoners, Polish, ‘traitors�, and various other groups to some degree.

Six years of bloody war and unprecedented evil had come to an end. That is something to celebrate. And remember, to give thanks for liberty and remember those who were murdered, or fell in war.

But, I hear you say that was 80 years ago…Not my problem, not my generation�.

Yep. It was 80 years ago � in living memory but only just. And it is your problem. It’s everyone’s problem. If people don’t learn, and speak out then it happens, again and again.

It can, and does continue. Since 1945 possibly over 50 million people have been killed in genocides around the world � in every part of the globe. Humans are, apparently, extremely good at being shitty to one another.

As the news becomes more troubling by the day and human rights are eroded left, right and centre and right wing politics is growing keep in mind that tyranny walks where hatred and division lead.

We should remember VE day � because it reminds us of the darkness that overran a continent, a world is not extinguished, merely dampened, and could and may well arise.

Do not be complacent. Do not forget what has happened, and continues to happen, and lurks, awaiting the chance to rise.

Remember. Learn. Understand.

It might be your rights that are removed, your family that are hounded, removed, murdered. It could be you. Or me.

When a young nurse takes a job at an old military hospital she finds the answers to an old family question � what is the secret of Blossom Rise Hospital? Who is the long-dead man who walks the grounds?
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Legaat van die Masker Verhale

Waansin, obsessie en die legaat van die verlede verweef hul towerspreuke in hierdie kort, tragiese verhaal gebaseer op dieÌýPhantom of the Opera.

’n Dosyn onstuimige jare ná die dramatiese gebeure by die Paryse Operahuis word Raoul, Comte de Chagny steeds deur die misteriese Operaspook gespook � die skepsel van legende wat personeel by die Operahuis onder sy knegskap gehou het, Raoul se minnares ontvoer en sy broer vermoor het. In Raoul se onrustige verbeelding is die spoke van die verlede oral, en vreemde en kragtige musiek besoek steeds in sy drome.

Wanneer moord en raaisel by die Operahuis begin, weet een vrou wie daaragter sit, en wat werklik onder die masker lê. Geheime, leuens en tragedie sing ‘n kragtige lied in hierdie ‘might have been�-verhaal.

Trane en bloedrooi fluweel.

When a young nurse takes a job at an old military hospital she finds the answers to an old family question � what is the secret of Blossom Rise Hospital? Who is the long-dead man who walks the grounds?
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Like reading? Love ? Check out my books on Google Play.

Fantasy, short stories, dark fantasy, short horror � grab some sensual sorcery or tales of blood and vengeance.

When a young nurse takes a job at an old military hospital she finds the answers to an old family question � what is the secret of Blossom Rise Hospital? Who is the long-dead man who walks the grounds?
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CHARACTER NAME Naomi

Tell us a little about yourself.

Generally I am a private person and not too keen to talk about myself. I am from Boston in the UK and for reasons I only disclose to those close to me, I was brought up by my grandfather.

How did you end up in the situation you’re currently in?

You only have to look around to see why it’s vital that we protest against the current state of the world. That’s why I’m an activist.

Is your life now as you envisioned it? If not � then why?

I always had an inclination I’d do some form of activism, probably because of my parents, but didn’t really plan for my life to be so consumed by it.

Do you believe in monsters?

Only the human ones.

Have you committed a crime? What was it? If not, what circumstances would cause you to commit a crime?

Yes, but then haven’t we all, either because the laws aren’t fair or because we’ve knowingly contributed to the climate catastrophe.

Do you have a moral code? If so what might it be

I don’t know. I do what I think is right.

Would you kill for those you love?

Probably, but I’ve never been put to the test.

Would you die for those you love?

I hope so.

How do you think others see you?

I don’t really think about it, but as you’ve asked� probably that I’m physically and mentally strong, but a bit aloof and serious.

How do you define ‘heroism?�

It’s not a term I like, so I don’t.

What is your greatest skill/asset?

My determination. Oh, and not getting distracted by friendships or lovers.

What is your greatest weakness (we won’t tell)?

My inability to pass by an injustice, although I see it as a strength.

For the author

Books in which this character appears: We Are Not Anonymous

Links, short author bio�

STEPHEN ORAM writes social science fiction novels and short stories set in the near-future, exploring the intersection of messy humans and imperfect technology. He is also a leading proponent of applied science fiction, working with scientists and technologists to explore possible outcomes of their research through short stories. Stephen is based in the heart of central London and attributes much of the urban grittiness and the optimism about humanity in his writing to the noise, the bustle, and the diverse community of where he lives.

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Description

A fast-paced near-future science fictionÌýwith a warning that our future is up for grabsÌý

In a near-future England, fractured into three nations and ravaged by climate floods, Naomi, a fiercely determined activist, and Beth, her courageous partner, fight for a better world. Their love deepens as they take on Kai, the ruthless leader of the tech-elite Narcissists, whose experiments on children and government-controlling technology threaten to reshape humanity itself.

ÌýAs part of the activist group Resist and Regain, Beth and Naomi battle to subvert Kai’s ambitions and create a more equal and transparent world. But as the stakes rise, Beth must face a harrowing choice: should she try to dismantle Kai’s regime at the cost of her family’s safety—and their future?

â€�We Are Not AnonymousÌýis an accessible sci-fi thriller rooted in today’s concerns about AI, billionaire tech barons, climate change, politics and government, personal rights, data ownership and police militarization. But it’s also an inspiring story about the power of activism, community and the resourcefulness of humanity.â€� â€� Housmans Bookshop

About the AuthorÌý

STEPHEN ORAM writes near-future science fiction, exploring the intersection of messy humans and imperfect technology. Previously, he has two published novels, three collections of sci-fi shorts and is published in many anthologies, including the award-winningÌýBest of British Science Fiction 2022Ìý(Newcon Press).

Stephen also works with scientists and technologists to explore possible outcomes of their research with the public through short stories and has co-edited four anthologies along these lines. Previously, he was the head of policy for post-16 skills strategic development and innovation at the Department for Education.Ìý

Stephen is based in the heart of central London and, alongside his experience of living inside and outside of the establishment, he attributes much of the urban grittiness and the optimism about humanity in his writing to the noise, the bustle, and the diverse community of where he lives. Ìý

Book Title: We Are Not Anonymous

Author (s): Stephen Oram

Genre: near future science fiction

Tell us about your characters:

There are three main characters. A twenty-something Beth, who has left her home and friends for the city to become a professional caster / influencer. Kai, the narcissist CEO of tech giant OmegaSimera, is determined to pursue his desires to control the government and accelerate evolution using experiments on children. Naomi is the same age as Beth and an activist for Resist and Regain, a group dedicated to standing up against Kai and the tech oligarchs.

Synopsis:

Tell us about the world in which the book is set.

It is set in the near-future when the role of running government is pretty much unpalatable to politicians who the public has totally lost trust in. Climate change is flooding England, which is now split into the three countries of England, Wessex and East Albion.

Why should readers buy this?

We Are Not Anonymous is an accessible sci-fi thriller rooted in today’s concerns about AI, billionaire tech barons, climate change, politics and government, personal rights, data ownership and police militarization. But it’s also an inspiring story about the power of activism, community and the resourcefulness of humanity.

Brief Excerpt 250 words:

Beth manoeuvred through the crowds, which were pressing in on every side. The close contact of so many noisy people all squeezed into one place was wonderful. She wiped the sweat from the tip of her nose, pleased that she was getting the first-hand footage she needed to increase her credibility and gain the influence she’d been chasing for two years. She was more nervous than excited, but with a brave face she was going to make sure her first live cast was a good one. Otherwise, what was the point of leaving the security of her home town, the familiarity of its streets and its people, her friends?

Chatting into her sleeve camera, she cast her commentary without giving herself time to overthink. “Here I am, Beth Haliford your trusted caster, talking to you from Pancras Square, London. This private piece of land is home to the headquarters of OS, OmegaSimera, who are accused of child exploitation.�

She filmed the crowd.

“As you can see,� she said, checking herself to make sure she was smiling professionally despite the oppressive heatwave. “As you can see, among the multitude of protest groups, we have those directly against child exploitation and also groups focused on the continuing extraction of fossil fuels, anti-capitalists, anarchists, and representatives of the anti-neoliberal movement. Look. They’ve all come together to protect their children’s future.�

Links etc.

Book page:

Purchase links:

When a young nurse takes a job at an old military hospital she finds the answers to an old family question � what is the secret of Blossom Rise Hospital? Who is the long-dead man who walks the grounds?
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