08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
VE Day: Dozens celebrate 80th anniversary across Gwent
Street parties and remembrance events took place in Newport, Caerleon, and Monmouthshire.
Laura Anne Jones, a member of the Senedd for South Wales East, joined the festivities in Llangybi, Monmouthshire.
She said: "It was great to go back to one of the lovely Monmouthshire villages that I used to live in, Llangybi, yesterday and join them for their VE Day celebration in their Village Hall.
"My son and I thoroughly enjoyed the tea party with homemade cakes, watching all about the war and VE Day and seeing all the memorabilia on display.
"A massive thank you to everyone involved in organising the event."
VE Day, which falls on May 8, marked the end of nearly six years of conflict in 1945, following Adolf Hitler's suicide and the unconditional surrender of the Germans.
The announcement was broadcast to the British public on May 7, 1945.
Ms Jones said: "I enjoyed having my six-year-old with me, as it's so important that the younger generations understand what happened and the bravery of his great-grandparents and many others across Wales and the UK that fought bravely to ensure that we could enjoy the freedoms we do today.
"We must never forget them."
It is estimated that 300,000 Welsh soldiers fought across every theatre of war in World War 2.
Ms Jones was also praised by the Welsh Government's Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing for raising awareness with the female veterans alliance for peer mental health support for veterans.
Newport Council is also set to host a special commemoration event on Thursday, May 8, to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
The celebrations will be held at 7.30pm on the Queen Elizabeth II Playing Field, NP19 9ND.
Former West End star Anthony Stuart-Lloyd will compere the evening.
The line-up is as follows: a welcome from the leader of Newport City Council, Councillor Dimitri Batrouni, and a prayer read by Reverend Keith Beardmore.
There will also be performances from the Gwent Music Community Celtic Group, directed by Scott McKeon, and the Gwent Music Brass Ensemble, directed by Chris Turner.
Anthony Stuart Lloyd, a former West End performer, will also take to the stage, alongside the City of Newport Male Choir, directed by Sarah Jones.
An international tribute will be read by the Lord Lieutenant of Gwent, Brigadier Robert Aitken CBE, before a beacon is lit by the Lord Lieutenant of Gwent.
The evening will end with the lighting of the Lamp of Peace by the Mayor of Newport, Councillor Ray Mogford.
The cake at the VE Day celebrations in Llangybi in Monmouthshire (Image: Office of Laura Anne Jones MS) VE Day celebrations have been happening across Gwent (Image: Supplied) VE Day celebrations have been happening across Gwent (Image: Nicola Gapper) VE Day celebrations have been happening across Gwent (Image: Christina Dickson) VE Day celebrations have been happening across Gwent (Image: Christina Dickson)
