On Thursday 8 May, the nation will come together to commemorate the end of the Second World War in Europe.
The 80th anniversary of VE Day is a time for a nation to come together to learn about the stories of those that served, from the servicemen who fought, to children who were evacuated, and women on the home front. At the time, the long anticipated news resulted in spontaneous celebrations breaking out across the nation. A national holiday was declared and people from all walks of life came together to mark the moment. It would be nearly another four months before the conflict completely came to a close in the Far East however.
Across the United Kingdom, Europe and the world, commemorations will be taking place to mark the 80th anniversary of this momentous moment and Sidmouth, like many towns will be holding a number of events during the day to mark this commemoration culminating in the lighting of a Beacon that evening. All residents and visitors are invited to attend to help remember those that served and continue to serve for a more peaceful world.
Following the VE Day Community Picnic on the bank holiday Monday 5th May, events on 8 May itself in the town begin at 10.45am, with a short procession of veterans and standards from the market place to the War Memorial where a brief Act of Remembrance of those that fought throughout the conflict will take place.
At 6.30pm the bells will ring out from Sidmouth Parish Church together with church bells across the country, to signify the 80 years since the momentous end of the European war 80 years ago.
Then, taking place at York Steps on the Esplanade over our own beach, the main Sidmouth commemoration will take place. This will begin with period music from 8.30pm.
At 9.00pm the Town’s Royal Standard, together with other Standards and Veteran and Service groups will process from the Market Place to York Steps ahead of the commemoration service around the York Steps Beacon which will begin at approximately 9.15pm.
As the sun sets and the evening commemorations draw to a close, a tribute will be read followed by the lighting of the ‘Lamp for Peace’ undertaken by the Chair of Sidmouth Town Council at 9.30pm. Such beacons will be lit across the country to signify the light that emerged from the dreadful darkness of war and the celebrations for the end of the Second World War in Europe.
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