21-04-2025
Popular attraction to celebrate and remember 80th anniversary of VE Day
The 80th anniversary of VE Day, the end of the Second World War in Europe, is being both remembered and celebrated at a museum that was a wartime RAF base.
The Yorkshire Air Museum is on the site of RAF Elvington, near York, which was home to Halifax bombers that flew on operations in Europe from 1943 until the end of the conflict.
The museum is holding a memorial service in its chapel on May 8, the date of VE Day, and visitors are invited to pay their respects.
On the weekend of May 10 and 11, the venue is holding 'We'll Meet Again,' its annual wartime weekend, but with a VE Day twist.
As well as 1940s reenactors, vehicles, displays and demonstrations, there will be a street party in the style of those held in 1945 to celebrate the end of the war in Europe.
Tables will be arranged in the main square of the museum and decorated in a 1940s style.
Visitors are welcome to bring their own picnic and join in the celebrations, or buy sandwiches from the onsite café.
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Yorkshire Air Museum Communications Manager Jerry Ibbotson said: "Unlike the anniversary of D-Day last year, there's much more of a celebration for VE Day, marking the end of six years of struggle.
"We're holding the service in the chapel, with our own chaplain, the Reverend Taff Morgan, as a moment of remembrance and reflection, but the celebrations start at the weekend.
"We'll Meet Again is always a hugely popular event, and we think the street party will be a real hit."
