RUGBY will celebrate the anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day next week at a free event in the town centre.
A vintage market takes place at Old Market Place on Thursday (May 8), the 80th anniversary of the Second World War in Europe coming to an end when the German forces surrendered after nearly six years of conflict.
In addition to the vintage market, the VE Day celebration includes free vintage garden games and face-painting, with World War Two re-enactors also on hand to help visitors step back in time to the 1940s.
Rugby Borough Council plans to mark VE Day by flying a special 80th anniversary flag at the Town Hall and, at 9.30pm, lighting a Lamp Light of Peace – part of a nationwide campaign to mark the anniversary and remember those who fought for our freedom during the Second World War.
The council also plans to install VE Day and Victory in Japan (VJ) Day 80th anniversary memorial benches at the war memorials at Whitehall Recreation Ground and Hillmorton’s High Street, together with a memorial bench near the silhouette statues of soldiers at Bilton’s Assheton Recreation Ground.
Tom Kittendorf, Rugby Borough Council’s chief officer for leisure and wellbeing, said: “We want to capture the spirit of VE Day at the vintage market and turn it into a celebration for the whole community, while taking the opportunity to remember the sacrifices made by so many to ensure we enjoy our freedom today.”
The VE Day vintage market runs from 3pm to 8pm. Email [email protected] to book a stall at the event.
COMMUNITY events in Hillmorton will mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
The Hillmorton branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL) decided to hold evening events on the anniversary as it falls on a working day – Thursday May 8.
At 7pm, a short service of remembrance will be held at Hillmorton War Memorial, beginning with lighting the Lamp of Peace.
Mayor Simon Ward will attend and lay a wreath on behalf of Rugby Borough.
Deerings Regent Daytime WI have been working to provide hand knitted and crocheted poppies to decorate the War Memorial.
At 8pm, Hillmorton Ex-Servicemen’s Club will host An Evening with Vera Lynn and friends. The event is being organised jointly by the Rotary Club of Rugby Dunsmore and the Hillmorton Branch of the Royal British Legion.
Singer Amie Boyd will headline the evening, which will also include music from the Phoenix Ukelele Band and the Ukrainian Choir. Proceeds from a collection and raffle will go towards the Rugby Ukrainian families.
Kathryn Lawrence, chair of the Hillmorton Branch of the Royal British Legion, said: “It is a real community event with the involvement of RBL branch members, the Rotary Club of Rugby Dunsmore, The Ukrainian Choir, the Phoenix Ukulele Band and Hillmorton Ex-Servicemen’s Club.
“There is no charge for the event and we hope that people will come along and enjoy a drink or two and join in some of the songs from the 1940s.”
A CEREMONY to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War will take place in Lutterworth on VE Day next week.
A beacon lighting event will be held at Coventry Road Recreation Ground from 7-10pm on Thursday (May 8).
The beacon will be lit at 9.30pm and there will be entertainment from Lutterworth Town Band and 1940s trio The Boswell Project. A bar, barbecue and and other hot food will be available, along with fun games for children and goodie bags.
Elsewhere in Harborough District, a 1940s weekend event will take place at Harborough Market from 8am to 4pm on Saturday (May 3) and 10am to 3pm on Sunday (May 4), including a period style singer, a DJ, vintage trader stalls and classic vehicles. Activities are also being planned for the town square throughout the weekend.
On Thursday (May 8) at 10am, there will be a VE Day flag raising ceremony and proclamation taking place near The Symington Building and Old Grammar School in Market Harborough.
At 7.30pm a commemorative service of thanksgiving will take place at the town’s St Dionysius Church, followed by an Act of Remembrance and wreath laying ceremony at the war memorial starting at 8.30pm.
On Sunday May 11 from 10am, a VE Day Anniversary Party in the Park will take place at Welland Park.
John Richardson, Chief Executive of Harborough District Council, said: “VE Day is a national time of celebration, reflection and remembrance, as we mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the six years of terrible conflict and the loss of so many service personnel and civilians.
“At Harborough District Council, we are rightly proud of our Armed Forces Covenant Silver Award and the work we do through our Armed Forces Officer and our Elected Member Armed Forces Champion to support service personnel, and they will remain at the forefront of our minds as we take part in the VE Day commemorations.
“I hope many of our residents will be able to attend the events in our district to mark this important day in our nation’s history.”
Harborough District Council will be sharing information about community events being held across the district on its website at www.harborough.gov.uk/ve-day. Community groups, schools, parish or town councils, parish meetings or any other organisations are encouraged to send details of their events to [email protected] for inclusion on the council website.
