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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
BBC News
14-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Pram appeal as Coventry baby bank sees rising demand
A city baby bank has issued an urgent appeal for prams and baby travel systems after seeing increasing demand from people in need. Baby Godiva was set up to support families with young children struggling to afford essentials. The organisation collects and sorts items donated by the community before distributing them. But chief executive Kate Wilson said it was down to its last handful of pushchairs and bosses needed more support. "We've given away 32 [pushchairs] this year already so we're averaging about ten a month to families in need," she told BBC CWR. "We're working with a lot of teenage pregnancies, care leavers and people fleeing domestic abuse who just have nothing and need a lot of help when they're pregnant." The charity, which has been recognised by the BBC Make a Difference Awards, was launched in 2019. Its founder Belle Edgar-McCabe had been at a family hub when she heard about a young mother who could not afford nappies. Since then, workers and volunteers have helped hundreds of families and linked up with midwives, health visitors and social workers to support even Wilson said there were a number of different reasons why demand had risen. "I think some of it is the cost of living crisis," she explained. "We're all in the pinch right now and babies are very expensive. "Some of it is [because] we are trying to really promote the charity at the moment and tell people we are out there and can help. "It does lead to a need of more items." Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
01-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
🎧 'We can beat Burnley by the odd goal'
Coventry City face another tough test following the defeat at Championship leaders Sheffield United as they welcome Burnley on Clarets are unbeaten in their past 26 games and have only conceded five goals in that time, but Sky Blues fan Ken Stewart believes Coventry can get a positive result to keep their play-off quest on track."Burnley are good defensively but we've got to be at it right from the off," he told BBC CWR's Sky Blues Fancast. "We can't afford to mess about. Like the Sunderland game, we've got to be at it from the off, try and get an early goal. "They've then got to come out a little bit more at us, so there might be a few more gaps. They've got to change their style of play if they go a goal down. "But it's important we get the first goal against Burnley because they just defend and defend."Confidence is still high and I'm pretty positive about Saturday. I think we can win it by the odd goal."Fellow supporter Jodie Turner says Scott Parker's side are "not very entertaining" and doesn't believe it will be an "exciting" contest."You know what, I'll take a 0-0," she said. "If you offered it to me, I'd have it. But I'd like to score against them and I feel like we will."It's one of those games, it's a free hit."Ken and Jodie joined BBC CWR's Clive Eakin on the Sky Blues fancast to discuss the loss to the Blades and look ahead to the clash with Burnley. You can listen to the full episode of the Sky Blues Fancast on BBC Sounds.
