Carlisle to celebrate 80th anniversary of VE Day
Carlisle is set to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day next month with a series of events.
On Thursday, May 8, the city will commemorate the end of World War II in Europe with a range of activities.
The day will begin with a wreath-laying ceremony and a short service at the cenotaph in the city centre at midday, honouring the contributions of service personnel during the conflict.
Later in the day, Carlisle Cathedral will host a Civic Evensong service at 5.45pm, followed by the ringing of the cathedral bells at 6.30pm.
The celebrations will then move to Carlisle Castle, where the public can participate in the lighting of the Lamp of Peace at 9pm.
This will be followed by a rendition of words, songs, and the national anthem until 9.30pm, when there will be the lighting of the beacon.
The ceremony will conclude with the floodlighting of the Cathedral, Citadel, and Devonshire Street by Cumberland Council.
The nationwide celebrations, announced by the Government, will span four days, culminating on VE Day itself, Thursday, May 8.
Communities across the country are encouraged to organise their own street parties, in a nod to how the day was celebrated in 1945.
Victory in Europe Day is an annual celebration that marks the formal acceptance by the Allies of World War II of Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender, which marked the end of World War II in Europe.
On May 8, 1945, after nearly six years of war, Prime Minister Winston Churchill announced a national holiday, addressing the nation on the radio.
However, the day was not celebrated by everyone, as fighting continued in the Far East against Japan for another three months.
Jules Wooding, manager of Cumbria's Museum of Military Life, explained: "Although there were celebrations and rejoicing, many people mourned those that had been killed or worried about those still serving overseas.
"Even with VJ Day later in 1945, life did not return to normal as the impact of the war continued for many years."
The Border Regiment, whose depot was at Carlisle Castle, continued to fight in the Far East in May 1945, with the war not finishing for them until August 15 – VJ (Victory Over Japan) Day.
The 2nd, 4th and 9th Battalions were fighting in Burma, as recalled by George MacDonald Fraser, author, who served with the 9th Battalion.
Within a week of Rangoon's fall came the news of Hitler's death and the German surrender.
The 1st Battalion of the Border Regiment was sent to Norway on Operation Doomsday in May 1945 as part of the German surrender.
Due to bad weather, one RAF Stirling aeroplane crash-landed in the fog near Oslo, killing all those onboard, including 13 from the Regiment.
Cumbria's Museum of Military Life, located in Alma Block within Carlisle Castle, the former Border Regiment Depot, will be showcasing some of its Second World War collections in a series of changing displays scheduled throughout the year.
Residents are invited to join the celebrations in Carlisle to commemorate and celebrate this significant day in history.
The events provide an opportunity for the community to reflect on the past and remember those who served during the war, while also celebrating the peace and freedom that was restored 80 years ago.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
31 minutes ago
- Yahoo
John Lennon's ‘smutty' love letter to future wife revealed
A 'smutty' love letter by John Lennon to his future wife – including his complaints about Paul McCartney's snoring – has emerged 63 years on. The Beatle, then aged just 21, wrote to art student Cynthia Powell telling her how much he missed her while the band were in the middle of their Hamburg stint in April 1962. The letter, written over five nights of concerts in the city, touched on various themes, including the sudden death of former bandmate Stuart Sutcliffe the week earlier. The note also featured an amusing moan from Lennon about McCartney's 'snoring' in the bunk bed above his. In the letter, signed by Lennon and written between April 19-24 1962, he wrote: 'Paul's leaping about on my head (he's in a bunk on top of me and he's snoring) ... Shurrup Mcarntey [sic]!' The musician then confides in Powell that he had avoided Astrid Kirchherr, Sutcliffe's German fiancee, because 'I would be so awkward'. He then shot down Cynthia's plan to move in with Dot Rhone, McCartney's girlfriend, as it would have caused a lack of privacy when he and Powell were in bed together. The letter said: 'I love love love you and I'm missing you like mad ... I wish I was on the way to your flat with the Sunday papers and chocies [sic] and a throbber.' 'I wonder why all the newspapers wrote about Stu … I haven't seen Astrid since the day we arrived. I've thought of going to see her but I would be so awkward.' It went on: 'I don't like the idea of Dot moving in permanently with you cause we would never be alone really ... imagine having her there all the time when we were in bed – and imagine Paul coming all the time. '...I love you, please wait for me and don't be sad and work hard, be a clever little Cyn Powell.' John and Cynthia, who was a year older than him, had been in a relationship for four years, having met at Liverpool College of Art. They married in August 1962 and had their son Julian in April 1963, weeks after 'Beatlemania' exploded with the release of the band's chart-topping first album Please Please Me. The pair divorced in 1968 and Powell later claimed Lennon had physically abused her throughout their relationship, including slapping her face in a fit of jealousy. The handwritten letter, described as one of the finest ever written by the singer, was sold by Powell to a Swedish collector in 1991 after she fell on hard times and needed to raise money. It then changed hands to the Swedish vendor in 1993. It will be on sale at Christie's auction with a £30,000 to £40,000 estimate. Thomas Venning, the head of books and manuscripts at Christie's, said: 'Reading the letter you get the sense of two young people in love, with no idea of what was going to happen to them, which makes it really compelling and historical. 'They are very unfiltered and you can hear him using his own voice. 'There are some smutty and funny bits and you sense his personality on the page, unlike his later letters which are more guarded and preachy. 'It provides an early insight into the Beatles from their time in Hamburg which was so important to their development as a band.' The sale takes place on July 9. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
The State Fair of West Virginia in the 1940s
FAIRLEA, WV (WVNS) — The State Fair of West Virginia is an event that many people often look forward to throughout the years. However the 1940s brought some changes to the annual event. The State Fair of West Virginia in the Roaring 20s On March 19, 1941, the fair became the State Fair of West Virginia from being previously known as the Greenbrier Valley Fair. The designation came after the fair's potential and popularity was recognized. Although 1941 was an important year for the fair due to the change, events around the world affected the State Fair of West Virginia for many years in the 1940s. World War II cancelled the fair in 1942, 1943, 1944, and 1945, according to information provided on the State Fair of West Virginia's website. The annual event did not make a return until 1946. Due to the cancellation of the fair in 1942, fairgoers had to wait to celebrate the 1941 designation of the State Fair. In the link on the history section of the State Fair of West Virginia's website, the provided information stated that due to World War II, a decision was made by the Board of Governors that reportedly stated: Fashion of the Fair: style trends throughout the last century at the State Fair of West Virginia In taking assessment of the war situation, which has necessitated government restricting of the sale of auto tires, the rationing of gasoline, the regulation and the possible restrictions in the near future of all forms of travel and transportation except that which is absolutely necessary, we recognize an insurmountable obstacle in the way of conducting our fair and whereas, it is also our desire to conform to the cheerfully acquiesce in any action deemed necessary by the government in its war effort, now therefore, in it resolved that we abandon our efforts to operate this year and definitely call off our fair for 1942. Early Fairs and State Fair History link in the history section on the State Fair of WV website Events at the State Fair of West Virginia in the 1940s included events such as horse shows, draft horse shows, horse/harness racing, beef and dairy cattle shows, livestock judging, poultry and fowl exhibits, dog shows, agriculture shows, 4-H Club shows, and fireworks. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
The State Fair of West Virginia in the 1950s
FAIRLEA, WV (WVNS) — A sense of normalcy returned to the State Fair of West Virginia in the 1950s thanks to a time of prosperity after the end of the Second World War. Luckily for those that made the Fair a family event, the event went on annually in its fourth decade, thanks to the period of peace after the conclusion of World War II. The 1950s brought with it the typical State Fair staples: animals, connection, and entertainment. Animals at the event were always a big deal and were heavily advertised in newspapers, magazines, and other means. This was especially true for cattle. The State Fair of West Virginia in the 1940s Also as popular as ever were the horses. The equine events have always been a draw for the crowds, from jousting tournaments, horse shows, and harness racing. Interestingly, jousting tournaments were brought to the Fair in 1953 and 1954, with members from the well-known Tuckwiller family taking part in the festivities. Fashion of the Fair: style trends throughout the last century at the State Fair of West Virginia The history section on the State Fair of West Virginia's website stated that 1956 brought another change to the event, as the fairgrounds expanded when the 'Simons Property' was bought, along with land at the south end of the racetrack. The 1950s also brought further additions due to a motion that was passed for the building of a sheep pavilion, to change the rabbit show area to a facility for the pigs, and to create a new rabbit house. Additions and changes were also made to the industrial building in 1958, according to the Fair's website. According to photos from the Greenbrier Historical Society, in 1957, a horse, owned by David and Grace Anne Tuckwiller, broke the track record at the fair during a harness race. Along with the animals, some fairgoers made traditions and even returned to remake memories of their previous times at the Fair. The State Fair of West Virginia not only gives fairgoers a chance to experience fun events and activities, it gives them a chance to make memories that could last a lifetime. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
