Stagecoach East Midlands offers free VE Day travel for military
Serving military personnel, veterans and cadets will be given access to free bus travel on the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day.Stagecoach East Midlands, which runs in Hull, East Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire, is scrapping fares on 8 May for those wearing uniform, carrying a military ID, a veteran's badge or medal.Officials said the free travel would allow those eligible to attend events and commemorations.Matt Cranwell, managing director of the bus company, said it would be a "privilege to recognise the bravery and dedication of our armed forces, cadets and veterans".
He added: "Offering free travel on VE 80 Day is a small gesture of appreciation for the enormous contribution made by our service men and women, past and present."Events are being held across the country to mark the day Allied forces accepted Germany's surrender in World War Two on 8 May 1945.The national celebrations will start with a military procession in central London from Whitehall to Buckingham Palace on the 5 May bank holiday.Other landmarks will be illuminated to mark the occasion and installation of 30,000 ceramic poppies will be displayed in the Tower of London, which was bombed during the Blitz.
Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
Alfreton railway station's £6.75m upgrade completed
A £6.75m project to improve accessibility for passengers at a Derbyshire railway station has been lifts were added at each side of the track as part of the work at Alfreton station, while the ageing footpath was upgradedThe changes are aimed at making it easier for passengers who have limited mobility, use wheelchairs or have heavy luggage, bikes or pushchairs with Midlands Railway said the lifts will be in use at certain times of the day throughout June as part of a trial period and they will not be working on Sundays. A new ramp and steps connecting the car park with the station entrance have also been provided as part of the platforms were fully resurfaced as part of the work, with tactile paving. New CCTV and new lights have also been installed. The project was delivered as part of the Department for Transport's Access for All scheme to deliver accessibility improvements at railway stations, with a portion of funding also coming from Network Matthews, Network Rail head of operations delivery, said: "We are delighted to bring the new lifts at Alfreton into use, complementing the upgraded footbridge and bringing step-free access to the station for the first time."We hope the improvements will encourage more people to travel by train."Amber Valley MP Linsey Farnsworth added: "This significant investment will make a real difference for local residents and visitors, ensuring that everyone, regardless of mobility, can travel with greater comfort and independence."She also thanked Alfreton Town Council which has "campaigned tirelessly" for improved access at the station for decades.
BBC News
4 days ago
- BBC News
Red Arrows to fly past East Midlands Airport
The Red Arrows are set to carry out a flypast as part of a special event to mark the diamond anniversary of East Midlands Airport. The world famous aerobatic team will visible above the East Midlands Aeropark on the afternoon of Sunday 20 July. A Spitfire from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will also fly over the site on the same day, while a Dakota aircraft will conduct a flypast on Monday 21 July. The flypasts are part of a three-day event from 19 to 21 July to mark the 60th anniversary of the airport being opened by Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh on 21 July 1965. Visitors will also have the chance to see aircraft landing, taxiing and taking off from East Midlands Airport's event will include games, food stalls, community stalls, a bouncy castle and children's entertainment, which will run from 10:00 to 18:00 BST each day. East Midlands Airport's Managing Director Steve Griffiths said: "We're really grateful to the RAF for agreeing to treat the crowds to flypasts of some heritage aircraft, perhaps particularly poignant as we mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War this year, as well as the ever-popular Red Arrows."
BBC News
5 days ago
- BBC News
Historic Norwegian ship to visit to Newcastle's River Tyne
The visit of a historic Norwegian cargo ship to the River Tyne has a special significance for one local S/S Hestmanden, which served as a convoy vessel during World War Two, will be berthed in Newcastle until Thursday as part of a UK tour marking the 80th anniversary of VE Chris Flanighan, its arrival is a poignant reminder of his grandfather, Karluf Thorsen, who fled Nazi-occupied Norway and served throughout the war in the merchant navy. He said: "This ship symbolises the life he lived, and the risks he took". Built in 1911, S/S Hestmanden played a vital role in transporting medicine, food, fuel, ammunition, and weapons during the also formed part of a covert flotilla of fishing boats used to smuggle soldiers, agents and freedom fighters between Norway and Shetland, and on return trips helped to evacuate refugees and Allied a national treasure in Norway, it serves as a floating war sailors' museum, preserving the legacy of those who kept the supply lines open. Mr Flanighan, from Wallsend, North Tyneside, has spent years uncovering the legacy of his grandfather."He left Norway around the age of 17 or 18 and didn't return home until he was 22," he said."Germany had occupied Norway, and he was part of the convoys supplying the Allied effort from Britain."This ship symbolises the life he lived, and the risks he took". 'Coming home' In a tribute to his grandfather's legacy, Mr Flanighan has been invited to join the Maritime Volunteer Service on one of their vessels as part of a ceremonial escort up the river."When I heard the ship was coming to Newcastle - the last stop on her UK tour - I was over the moon," he said."It's not just a ship visit. For me and my family, it's like she's coming home." During the visit, people have a chance to go on board the floating museum until Wednesday and explore its interactive will also be events including a wreath-laying ceremony at Norwegian war graves in Stephen C. Healy of Trinity House, Newcastle, said: "This historic visit reaffirms the deep maritime bonds between Norway and the north-east of England. "It is a tremendous privilege to help honour the legacy of the war sailors." Follow BBC Newcastle on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
