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Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Coventry joins together for VE Day commemoration
The 80th anniversary of VE Day was marked in Coventry with a city centre street party. The event marked 80 years to the day since Germany's surrender of its armed forces to signal the end of World War Two in Europe. It also honoured the contribution of South Asian communities during the war with a performance of Bhangra dance. The evening closed with Coventry joining other towns and cities in lighting a Lamp Light of Peace before a collective rendition of singer Vera Lynn's We'll Meet Again, followed by the national anthem. "As a city that suffered so greatly in the war and emerged with a message of peace and reconciliation, it is so fitting that we host a party in the heart of the city to mark the 80th anniversary of such a momentous day in our history," said Councillor Abdul Khan, deputy leader of Coventry City Council. "It gives us a chance to look back and remember and give thanks for the peace that the people of those years fought so hard to give us." Entertainment during the evening was hosted by BBC CWR. Editor Sophie Cook said: "VE Day stands as a powerful reminder of the courage, sacrifice and resilience shown by so many during one of history's darkest times. "BBC CWR is proud to join Coventrians together to pay tribute to the Word War Two generation and ensure their legacy is remembered." The South Asian contribution to the war effort was reflected in Coventry tonight as the 80th anniversary of VE Day was commemorated in Broadgate — BBC Coventry & Warwickshire (@BBCCWR) May 8, 2025 Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. VE Day at 80: What's to come - and what you might have missed Woman, 100, shares blitz memories on VE Day Coventry City Council
BBC News
09-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
VE Day: Coventry joins together for 80th anniversary event
The 80th anniversary of VE Day was marked in Coventry with a city centre street event marked 80 years to the day since Germany's surrender of its armed forces to signal the end of World War Two in also honoured the contribution of South Asian communities during the war with a performance of Bhangra evening closed with Coventry joining other towns and cities in lighting a Lamp Light of Peace before a collective rendition of singer Vera Lynn's We'll Meet Again, followed by the national anthem. "As a city that suffered so greatly in the war and emerged with a message of peace and reconciliation, it is so fitting that we host a party in the heart of the city to mark the 80th anniversary of such a momentous day in our history," said Councillor Abdul Khan, deputy leader of Coventry City Council. "It gives us a chance to look back and remember and give thanks for the peace that the people of those years fought so hard to give us." Entertainment during the evening was hosted by BBC Sophie Cook said: "VE Day stands as a powerful reminder of the courage, sacrifice and resilience shown by so many during one of history's darkest times."BBC CWR is proud to join Coventrians together to pay tribute to the Word War Two generation and ensure their legacy is remembered." Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Parties, concerts and flypasts to mark VE Day
Street parties, concerts and flypasts are being held across the West Midlands to celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE (Victory in Europe) Day. The occasion commemorates the end of nearly six years of war in Europe on 8 May 1945 when Nazi German forces surrendered unconditionally to the Allies in World War Two. Many councils have encouraged communities to hold street parties to recreate the spirit of '45. But there are solemn occasions too. A remembrance service at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire will welcome veterans, families and other members of the public. On Thursday, the Royal British Legion will host a private VE Day tea party at the venue for veterans and families before the commemorative service beginning at 16:00 BST. The arboretum will be open to the public as normal and seating will be available on a first-come-first-served basis, although visitors are advised to book parking in advance. The service will also be streamed into Heroes' Square. Mayor of Sandwell Syeda Khatun said events would reflect on sacrifices made by a generation and pay tribute to those who "gave so much", including everyone who fought overseas, around the Commonwealth and on the home front. She said celebrations in the 75th year took place during the pandemic and this was a chance to "meet again". Sandwell's celebrations include a civic service, street party and a Fabulous 40s event on Thursday. Coventry Cathedral will hold a special choral evensong on the day of the anniversary, alongside the national bellringing that is taking place. This year marks the 85th year since the Coventry Blitz - one of the worst bombing raids endured by Britain, which took place on 14 November 1940. The raid brought devastation across the city and destroyed the original cathedral, the Church of St Michael. The replacement now stands alongside the original's ruins. On Thursday, Coventry City Council and BBC CWR are holding a street party on Broadgate, with live entertainment and a big screen showing wartime images. The event will also honour the contribution of South Asian communities to the war and victory, with a Bhangra dance display. Councillor Abdul Khan, deputy council leader, said the city suffered greatly during the war, but "emerged with a message of peace". BBC CWR editor Sophie Cook said VE Day was "a powerful reminder of the courage, sacrifice and resilience shown by so many". A talk will be held on Thursday and Friday at Croome Court, Worcestershire, which housed RAF Defford – a secret wartime airbase staffed by more than 2,000 service personnel and scientists who tested radar to help meet enemy threats. Michelle Fullard, general manager of the National Trust in South Worcestershire, said the talks would reveal the wartime significance of the site, which, she said, was comparable to Bletchley Park, the centre of British codebreaking efforts. "The experimental aircrafts, the experimental technology that people were willing to just have a go at during the war, to try and make a difference, is unbelievable," she said. Celebrations on Saturday will include wartime songs, a brass band and a flight simulator that visitors can try, operated by Pershore cadets. Celebrations will continue into the weekend at various venues, including the RAF Museum Midlands in Cosford, close to Telford and Wolverhampton. Flying displays will include a Lancaster flyover tribute on Saturday. A VE day concert will be held outside Hangar 2 that afternoon, with songs from the 1940s and music by the RAF Voluntary Band Cosford and the Bluebird Belles. Veterans will open the show with a poem to honour those who served. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Flypast and concert for VE Day 80th commemorations VE and VJ Day 80 commemorations
BBC News
05-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
West Midlands parties, concerts and flypasts to mark VE Day
Street parties, concerts and flypasts are being held across the West Midlands to celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE (Victory in Europe) occasion commemorates the end of nearly six years of war in Europe on 8 May 1945 when Nazi German forces surrendered unconditionally to the Allies in World War councils have encouraged communities to hold street parties to recreate the spirit of ' there are solemn occasions too. A remembrance service at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire will welcome veterans, families and other members of the public. On Thursday, the Royal British Legion will host a private VE Day tea party at the venue for veterans and families before the commemorative service beginning at 16:00 arboretum will be open to the public as normal and seating will be available on a first-come-first-served basis, although visitors are advised to book parking in advance. The service will also be streamed into Heroes' Square. Mayor of Sandwell Syeda Khatun said events would reflect on sacrifices made by a generation and pay tribute to those who "gave so much", including everyone who fought overseas, around the Commonwealth and on the home said celebrations in the 75th year took place during the pandemic and this was a chance to "meet again".Sandwell's celebrations include a civic service, street party and a Fabulous 40s event on Thursday. Coventry Cathedral will hold a special choral evensong on the day of the anniversary, alongside the national bellringing that is taking year marks the 85th year since the Coventry Blitz - one of the worst bombing raids endured by Britain, which took place on 14 November raid brought devastation across the city and destroyed the original cathedral, the Church of St Michael. The replacement now stands alongside the original's Thursday, Coventry City Council and BBC CWR are holding a street party on Broadgate, with live entertainment and a big screen showing wartime event will also honour the contribution of South Asian communities to the war and victory, with a Bhangra dance Abdul Khan, deputy council leader, said the city suffered greatly during the war, but "emerged with a message of peace".BBC CWR editor Sophie Cook said VE Day was "a powerful reminder of the courage, sacrifice and resilience shown by so many". A talk will be held on Thursday and Friday at Croome Court, Worcestershire, which housed RAF Defford – a secret wartime airbase staffed by more than 2,000 service personnel and scientists who tested radar to help meet enemy Fullard, general manager of the National Trust in South Worcestershire, said the talks would reveal the wartime significance of the site, which, she said, was comparable to Bletchley Park, the centre of British codebreaking efforts."The experimental aircrafts, the experimental technology that people were willing to just have a go at during the war, to try and make a difference, is unbelievable," she on Saturday will include wartime songs, a brass band and a flight simulator that visitors can try, operated by Pershore cadets. Celebrations will continue into the weekend at various venues, including the RAF Museum Midlands in Cosford, close to Telford and displays will include a Lancaster flyover tribute on Saturday.A VE day concert will be held outside Hangar 2 that afternoon, with songs from the 1940s and music by the RAF Voluntary Band Cosford and the Bluebird Belles. Veterans will open the show with a poem to honour those who served. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Parties, concerts and flypasts to mark VE Day
Street parties, concerts and flypasts are being held across the West Midlands to celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE (Victory in Europe) Day. The occasion commemorates the end of nearly six years of war in Europe on 8 May 1945 when Nazi German forces surrendered unconditionally to the Allies in World War Two. Many councils have encouraged communities to hold street parties to recreate the spirit of '45. But there are solemn occasions too. A remembrance service at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire will welcome veterans, families and other members of the public. On Thursday, the Royal British Legion will host a private VE Day tea party at the venue for veterans and families before the commemorative service beginning at 16:00 BST. The arboretum will be open to the public as normal and seating will be available on a first-come-first-served basis, although visitors are advised to book parking in advance. The service will also be streamed into Heroes' Square. Mayor of Sandwell Syeda Khatun said events would reflect on sacrifices made by a generation and pay tribute to those who "gave so much", including everyone who fought overseas, around the Commonwealth and on the home front. She said celebrations in the 75th year took place during the pandemic and this was a chance to "meet again". Sandwell's celebrations include a civic service, street party and a Fabulous 40s event on Thursday. Coventry Cathedral will hold a special choral evensong on the day of the anniversary, alongside the national bellringing that is taking place. This year marks the 85th year since the Coventry Blitz - one of the worst bombing raids endured by Britain, which took place on 14 November 1940. The raid brought devastation across the city and destroyed the original cathedral, the Church of St Michael. The replacement now stands alongside the original's ruins. On Thursday, Coventry City Council and BBC CWR are holding a street party on Broadgate, with live entertainment and a big screen showing wartime images. The event will also honour the contribution of South Asian communities to the war and victory, with a Bhangra dance display. Councillor Abdul Khan, deputy council leader, said the city suffered greatly during the war, but "emerged with a message of peace". BBC CWR editor Sophie Cook said VE Day was "a powerful reminder of the courage, sacrifice and resilience shown by so many". A talk will be held on Thursday and Friday at Croome Court, Worcestershire, which housed RAF Defford – a secret wartime airbase staffed by more than 2,000 service personnel and scientists who tested radar to help meet enemy threats. Michelle Fullard, general manager of the National Trust in South Worcestershire, said the talks would reveal the wartime significance of the site, which, she said, was comparable to Bletchley Park, the centre of British codebreaking efforts. "The experimental aircrafts, the experimental technology that people were willing to just have a go at during the war, to try and make a difference, is unbelievable," she said. Celebrations on Saturday will include wartime songs, a brass band and a flight simulator that visitors can try, operated by Pershore cadets. Celebrations will continue into the weekend at various venues, including the RAF Museum Midlands in Cosford, close to Telford and Wolverhampton. Flying displays will include a Lancaster flyover tribute on Saturday. A VE day concert will be held outside Hangar 2 that afternoon, with songs from the 1940s and music by the RAF Voluntary Band Cosford and the Bluebird Belles. Veterans will open the show with a poem to honour those who served. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Flypast and concert for VE Day 80th commemorations VE and VJ Day 80 commemorations
