Latest news with #IVowtoTheeMyCountry
Western Telegraph
09-05-2025
- General
- Western Telegraph
War veteran Duncan, 99, lights Tenby's VE Day beacon
Duncan Hilling, who served with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers in India, Japan and Malaya, led the town's parade from Tudor Square as he rode in style in a World War Two USA Army jeep. After a wheelchair ride up Castle Hill, the former Bren Gun Carrier driver, who now lives in Saundersfoot, had the honour of lighting the Tenby beacon as part of the national chain. Mr Hilling is pictured in the Jeep, flanked by town mayor, Dai Morgan, mayoress Melanie Lewis, mace bearers Denise Cousins and Spike Abbott and town crier Erin Morgan. (Image: Gareth Davies Photography) A large crowd gathered on Castle Hill following the parade, and there were stirring scenes as I Vow to Thee My Country was sung ahead of town crier Erin Morgan reading the VE Day tribute before the beacon lighting at 9.30pm. A large crowd gathered on Castle Hill for the ceremony. (Image: Gareth Davies Photography) Commemorations in Tenby had begun more than 12 hours earlier with the reading of the VE Day proclamation and the VE Day flag being raised on one of the town wall turrets. A wreath laying ceremony at the town's war memorial was led by the Rector of Tenby, the Rev. Steve Brett. Students from Ysgol Greenhill School pay their respects at the A tribute from the police at the war memorial. (Image: Gareth Davies Photography) war memorial. (Image: Gareth Davies Photography) Tenby's mayor, Cllr Dai Morgan, laid a wreath on behalf of the town, and a large crowd – including many local schoolchildren – witnessed other organisations pay their respects. The evening parade moves off from Tudor Square. (Image: Gareth Davies Photography) These included the Tenby branch of the Royal British legion, Tenby, Saundersfoot and Narberth Police, Ysgol Greenhill School and Tenby Sea Cadets. Mr Hilling lights the Castle Hill beacon. (Image: Gareth Davies Photography) Afterwards the Mayor - along with Major Andrew Hamilton - the Armed Forces Covenant, which is a promise made by the council to ensure that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly. Mr Hilling is pictured with daughter Miranda Davies on the way up to Castle Hill. (Image: Gareth Davies Photography)
BBC News
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Alderney holding two events to mark VE Day 80
Alderney is to hold events celebrating the 80th anniversary of World War Two's VE Day on two days, the government says. The States said a tea party will be hosted in the Island Hall Gardens from 14:00 BST until 15:30 on Monday 5 May, which was open to all. In addition, on Thursday 8 May, a beacon is to be lit on the Butes at 20: said the beacon lighting would see the Island Band playing from 19:50, with singers joining at 20:15 to help attendees participate in singing I Vow to Thee My Country, which is also due to be sung across the UK.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
The VE Day 80th Anniversary events in the Watford area
Communities are invited to come together in remembrance, celebration and unity when VE Day 80th Anniversary events take place across the Watford area next week. Let's unite in remembrance, celebration, and community spirit as we mark 80 years since Victory in Europe Day. (Image: Watford Council) The commemorations in Watford on Thursday, May 8 begin with a Flag Raising Ceremony at 9.30am at the Peace Memorial outside Watford Town Hall. The ceremony will include the reading of The Proclamation, the raising of the VE Day 80 flag, and participation from local schoolchildren. That evening, at 9pm, Watford Museum will host a Beacon Lighting Ceremony, featuring readings of The Proclamation and The Tribute, a choral performance by the North London Military Wives Choir, and the singing of 'I Vow to Thee My Country', concluding with the beacon lighting as a symbol of peace and unity. Singers during D-Day celebrations last year. (Image: Watford Council) In Rickmansworth, the May 8 commemorations begin at 3pm with a relaxing VE Day Tea & Cakes afternoon hosted by Batchworth Community Council at the Royal British Legion Club, in Ebury Road. Later, at 6.30pm, the bells of St Mary's Church will ring out in honour of peace and remembrance. The evening festivities include a 1940's Swing Night from 8pm to 11.30pm at the Royal British Legion Club, featuring the band Burnt Rubber and classic hits from Frank Sinatra, Vera Lynn, Buddy Holly, and Elvis. Simultaneously, at 8.15pm, an evening celebration will be held at St Mary's Church Centre, with light refreshments, a performance by Phoenix Morris, and a historical display titled 'What the Nation Ate During WW2' presented by Three Rivers Museum and the Rickmansworth Historical Society. At 9.30pm, the community will gather by the War Memorial for The Nation's Tribute, where Deputy Lord-Lieutenant Patrick Moriarty DL will light a beacon, followed by group singing of 'I Vow to Thee My Country' in a powerful moment of national reflection. Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire Robert Voss with cadets at a D-Day remembrance event with in 2024. (Image: Watford Council) Celebrations continue on Saturday, May 10 in Croxley Green, where the parish council will host a WW2 & 1940s Picnic on The Green from 12 noon to 5pm. The event will include live wartime music and performances, 1940s-style dancing, themed family activities, and a range of food stalls and refreshments. Those attending are encouraged to bring their own picnic and blanket to enjoy the day in true vintage style.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Communities offered £500 VE Day grants by council
Communities in the Ribble Valley are being encouraged to take up the council's offer of free road closures and £500 grants for VE Day street parties next month. May 8 marks the 80th anniversary of victory in Europe over fascism in 1945, which led to the end of the Second World War. Some fighting continued across parts of eastern Europe further into May, including part of Latvia and Prague, then part of Czechoslovakia. Conflict also continued in the Far East until victory over Japan in August 1945. Anniversary plans in the Ribble Valley include the borough council raising the official VE Day 80 flag at 9am. The Mayor will hold a beacon lighting ceremony at Clitheroe Castle at 9.30pm, in co-ordination with others being lit nationwide, and read a tribute of remembrance. There will also be music from Clitheroe Town Band, with the hymn I Vow to Thee My Country suggested, which will be sung by those in attendance along with other songs. VE Day community events and grants were discussed at Ribble Valley Council's latest policy and finance committee meeting. Speaking at the meeting, Marshal Scott, the council's chief executive, said: 'The council has a proud record of supporting national events and commemorations. "This year's VE Day will be the 80th anniversary, so it's a special date. "We aim to do something at the castle, and we are also suggesting £500 for every parish or town council in the district.' Conservative Councillor Kevin Horkin said: 'In the past, other events have worked well. "Will this £500 grant be automatically sent to parishes, or will there be some process involved?' Mr Scott said: 'It is public money so it's got to be accounted for properly. "We can't just give it out, but we'd aim for a simple process. We're suggesting a total of £20,000 to be taken from the council's general balances. 'The government's idea is that on the May Day Bank Holiday communities can get together and have street parties. "We are planning to waive the fee for street closure procedures and trying to encourage events.' Tory Cllr Sue Bibby said she understood one local parish had, in the past, declined a similar grant. Councillors suggested the VE Day grant process be made as easy as possible, within reason, with the council pro-actively 'offering' grants to parish and town councils. This motion was agreed.
