VE Day 80: Westminster Abbey thanksgiving service and two minute silence to mark anniversary
It's the fourth day of commemorations - what's happened so far?
Image source, PA Media
Though today is officially VE Day, commemorations began on Monday, with a military procession and a Red Arrows flypast.
Thousands gathered to line the streets near Buckingham Palace to witness the event, with King Charles rising to salute the soldiers taking part.
Image source, PA Media
Prince William, Catherine, and their three children were among the royals standing on the Buckingham Palace balcony for the flypast.
They gazed upwards as the Red Arrows streaked the sky with red, white and blue trails.
Image source, PA Media
Commemorations continued on Tuesday, with the return of nearly 30,000 ceramic poppies the Tower of London marked by a visit by Queen Camilla.
,
Queen Camilla signs the visitors' book whilst visiting the ceramic poppies at the Tower of London.
On Tuesday evening, dozens of buildings across the UK were lit up for the anniversary, including Buckingham Palace, 10 Downing Street, and the Houses of Parliament.
,
Big Ben illuminated with a Union flag to mark the 80th anniversary of VE day
On Wednesday, the Parliament Choir held an anniversary concert in Westminster Hall supported by the Sinfonia Smith Square orchestra.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
UK's biggest solar farm ‘will ruin views of the Malvern Hills'
Britain's biggest solar farm will ruin the views of the Malvern Hills if it gets planning permission, residents have warned. Opponents of plans for a 271-acre solar farm near Powick, Worcestershire, have said it will destroy the natural landscape and pose a fire risk to people living nearby. Preserve Powick Landscape and Nature (PPLAN), who have already erected signs around the area, marched from Hospital Lane in Powick through parts of the proposed site on Sunday. They are worried the solar farm will disrupt views of the Malvern Hills, cause harm to local wildlife, and pose fire risks from batteries used to store energy. Peter Loader, the leader of PPLAN who lives adjacent to the site, has described his concerns over the proposed development, including fire risks and traffic disruptions expected to last at least seven months. He said the reason he had been co-ordinating the events in opposition to the solar farm 'is primarily the impact on the landscape'. 'There are a lot of people who won't be able to walk through that area – and the Malvern Hills is an area of outstanding natural beauty,' Mr Loader said. 'Both the Malvern Hills Trust and the National Landscape people have objected because the view from the Malvern Hills would clearly be impacted by this site. 'The A449 has more than 20,000 vehicles a day going along it – and that is pretty much the capacity for a single carriageway A-road. Because they need to lay a cable from this side to the nearest substation, they're proposing putting roadworks up for seven months – and that's pretty serious. 'Not only will it affect people's day-to-day lives, with taking children to school, it will also affect ambulances. Many residents are concerned about the fire risk – when they catch fire, they can't be put out. 'When that happens, there's a toxic vapour cloud that forms, and the fairly large housing estate is downwind.' Steve Lloyd, who lives across from the proposed entrance to the solar farm, said he was worried about increased traffic and noise in the area, as well as the potential fire hazards. He said his greatest concern was 'mainly the size of it'. 'I'm a farmer, and it's so close to my house and my farm. I'm just thinking about what could go wrong. Apparently they can catch fire from the battery storage system,' Mr Lloyd said. 'People are worried about the fire risk and the wildlife. There's also the glare from it, and just the actual size of it. Traffic is also very much a concern – it's on a single-track lane.' RWE Renewables UK Solar & Storage Ltd, which is behind the plans, told the BBC that the site was close to the National Grid, making it 'the best and most suitable' location for the project.
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Fire breaks out at fish and chips shop in Brown Edge
Fire crews have been battling a blaze at a fish and chip shop. Flames broke out at Sandy Lane Fish and Chips in Brown Edge, Staffordshire, on Sunday a post on X shortly after 15:30 BST, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service said four crews were sent to the scene on Sandy Lane, and urged people to avoid the area.A fire service spokesperson told the BBC nobody was hurt and it was believed the blaze started accidentally, although a cause had not been identified. Firefighters had since left the scene, the spokesperson added. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
Residents oppose Middlesbrough sheltered housing plan
Concerns have been raised over plans to turn a former care home into sheltered accommodation. New Walk CIC is turning the site on Burlam Road in Middlesbrough into supported housing for vulnerable individuals in the town. Some residents said there had been a lack of consultation, while others have raised fears about possible crime or anti-social Walk CIC said the site would have 24-hour staffing and it welcomed any constructive objections from residents, businesses and elected members. Middlesbrough mayor Chris Cooke said that as the care home already had a level of planning permission, a new planning application was not required for the sheltered said he found this "difficult", adding: "Regardless of the legalities around the planning requirements, it's up to the companies to make sure that they engage with the residents nearby and make sure that they do consultation openly." Local resident, Thelma Clark, 57, said the lack of consultation was "outrageous" and that she worried site would impact local house prices. Another, Eric Holland, 58, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service he was worried about an increase in burglaries in the area if the project went ahead. Jane Jorgensen, 62, said: "We should know what's on our doorstep."New Walk CIC said it had been working on the project since April 2023 and had been in extensive consultation with Middlesbrough Council over the plans. The location of the project was changed in June 2024 after a previous site fell through."Support for the new location was secured from the local authority before proceeding," a spokesperson said. They said each resident would have a support worker and that the site would help vulnerable individuals. Middlesbrough Council said it was committed to helping homeless and vulnerable people and that there were was a need for more supported accommodation. "We are working closely with the provider at the new facility, who are committed to ensuring its residents engage with the wider community in a positive way," they said. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
