Town and Community/Parish Councils throughout England and Wales are taking the lead in the organisation of local celebrations marking the 75th Anniversary of the end of the war in Europe on the 8th – 10th May 2020. After six years of fighting, the end of hostilities were officially announced on the 8th May 1945 by Prime Minister Winston Churchill. That date has since become enshrined in history as VE Day.

VE Day 75, on the weekend of 8th – 10th May 2020, will be an international celebration of peace – a time to remember, reflect and pay tribute to the millions who played such a vital part in achieving it. This includes the Armed Forces personnel from many countries who gave their lives or were physically and mentally injured; the hard-working women and men who kept the factories, mines, shipyards and farms operating throughout the years of turmoil; the ARP wardens, police officers, doctors, nurses, firemen, local defence volunteers and many others safeguarded the home front.

SSAFA the Armed Forces Charity – which has been supporting service personnel, veterans and their families since 1885 – are the charity partner for this series of VE Day 75 commemorative events.

Sir Andrew Gregory, chief executive of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, said “It is our duty to keep the events of the past alive in collective memory, including future generations – this is how we ensure that such a conflict never happens again. It is our hope that the nation takes a moment to reflect on the significance of this date, as a milestone that changed the course of history for the whole world.”

We would like to encourage you to engage with your local SSAFA branch to ensure community collaboration. To find out the location and contact details of your local SSAFA branch visit: www.ssafa.org.uk/get-help/find-local-branch/

The planned activities over the weekend are as follows, please go to the VE Day 75 website – www.veday75.org to see the complete overview for this anniversary:

  • The Playing of Battle’s O’er & VE 75 Years
  • The ‘Nation’s Toast to the Heroes of WW2’
  • The ‘Cry for Peace, around the World’
  • Churches & cathedrals ‘Ringing out for Peace’
  • Street parties and parties in pubs, clubs, Hotels, on town and village greens and in halls etc
  • Services of commemoration and celebration in churches, including the reading of the ‘Tribute to the Millions’ and the playing of the Last Post

FRIDAY 8TH MAY 2020 has been designated a bank holiday by HM Government so all can partake).