VE Day commemorations this week.
It is an opportunity for the nation to come together to honour and pay tribute to the Second World War generation from across the UK and Commonwealth, through a series of national and local events and activities.
There are a vast range of national and local commemorative events taking place around the UK this week around the 80th anniversary of the defeat of the Nazis.
You can find details of events in your local area of the UK at:
Activities and events – VE Day and VJ Day 80
Here are just a few of the events taking place.
1) Two-minute national silence to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day - GOV.UK
A two-minute national silence will be held on tomorrow at Thursday 8 May at 12 noon (UK time), to remember and thank those who fought for our freedom.
The silence will be marked by all UK Government departments, which will also fly the Union Flag at full-mast.
Everyone else is encouraged to take part, and I for one will be observing the two minute silence.
2)
A minute's walk from my home in Moor Row, at the Working Men's club in Scalegill Road, there will be a family Fun day on Saturday 10th May to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe.
The event is open to any member of the public and no pre-booking is required.
A VE Day celebration for all the family with free bouncy castle, face painting, Police Dog Demonstration and various stalls.
Catering and ice cream vans will be in attendance, with drinks from the Club Bar.
Free to enter from 12.00 to 17.00hrs on Saturday 10th May 2025.
The event is sponsored by the West Cumberland Freemasons.
4) Appleby’s Day of Celebration – VE Day and VJ Day 80
Appleby Town Council is organising a series of events tomorrow, 8th May 2025, beginning with a proclamation at 9am followed by tea and cupcakes in the Tourist Information. A Scottish Piper will follow the 12 noon silence in the Town Centre, and there will be various tea party’s happening in the town, one at local historical house Castle Bank, and one being held in the Methodist Church on the Sands. Most of the shops have decorated their windows in red white and blue to commemorate the day.
At 9.30pm the day will conclude with the lighting of the Beacon on Fair Hill, Roman Road.
5) Barrow in Furness Tea Party – VE Day and VJ Day 80
St James Church, Blake Street, Barrow in Furness, Cumbria, LA14 1NY, will be hosting a Tea party starting at 2pm on Thursday 8th May in the church grounds with sandwiches & cakes, followed by commemorative Civic Service at 5.30. All welcome to either or both events.
The church bells will be rung for an hour after the service.
6) Grange-over-Sands VE Day celebration – VE Day and VJ Day 80
At Fell Drive in Grange-over-Sands tomorrow local residents are organising a shared tea in the style of a VE Day Street Party. They have posted on the government website (link above) that
"We are inviting members of the community and families to celebrate with us. We are marking the event by conducting research on fallen heroes who are commemorated on our local war memorial. We are also doing some art projects and learning songs. We will enjoy food, songs and remembrance together during our picnic."
7) Kendal Town Council events 8th and 9th May 2025
There are three events in Kendal tomorrow and on Friday including the laying of wreaths by the Mayor of Kendal and Deputy Lord Lieutenant at Kendal War Memorial at 11am tomorrow, a Beacon lighting and display on the slopes of Kendal Castle at Dusk tomorrow, and a Kendal VE Day Tea Dance on Friday afternoon for which advance booking is required - see link.
One of Keswick Museum’s volunteers, Pamela Herbert, has created a display that shows items associated with rationing, public safety, returning soldiers, and remembers service personnel who died during the war.
It went on show from Monday 28th April and will remain available to see until Sunday 11th May at the museum, Station Road, Keswick, Cumberland, CA12 4NF with no booking required.
9) Staveley Service of Commemoration – VE Day and VJ Day 80
A short service of commemoration for VE Day will be held tomorrow, starting at 2pm at Staveley War Memorial. This will be followed by refreshments at Staveley CE Primary School. The address is 6 Brow Lane, Kendal, Westmorland and Furness, LA8 9PH
10) Leeds VE/VJ Day Civic Event – VE Day and VJ Day 80
The Lord Mayor of Leeds invites everyone to join her in marking the commemoration of Victory in Europe and Victory over Japan with an evening of music, word, and song.
As the country celebrates, commemorates, and reflects on the end of the war, the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Abigail Marshall Katung will host a civic event at Leeds Minster on the evening of May 10 2025.
Invited guests include royal representatives and civic leaders from across West Yorkshire, along with diplomats and ambassadors.
The event will feature orchestral, choir, and bagpipe performances, contemporary songs of the war era, and personal stories of Leeds people who contributed to the victory. Focusing on a timeline running through the nearly six years of war, the testimonies will not just examine the stories of those who fought, but contributions from the Women’s Land Army, firefighters, the home front in Leeds, and the contribution of the royal family.
Music for the event will be provided by the Leeds Philharmonic Chorus, The Bridge Ensemble, the Hummingbirds vocal harmony trio, and the Leeds Pipe Band.
The VE/VJ Day 80 Leeds event takes place at 7:30pm on May 10 at Leeds Minster. Tickets are £5 with all proceeds being donated to the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, however, concessions are available. You can book your ticket by visiting: 80th Anniversary of VE/VJ Day - Commemoration Concert - Leeds Ticket Hub
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