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ITV News
08-05-2025
- General
- ITV News
VE Day celebrations across the region as people mark victory in Europe
Events and commemorations are being held across Cumbria and the south of Scotland today as the region marks the 80th anniversary of VE Day, which brought an end to the Second World War in Europe. Wreaths are being laid in Carlisle and Annan, and commemorative events are also going ahead in Ulverston, Brampton, Kelso, Appleby, and Whitehaven, among others. Town criers have been reading VE Day proclamations in towns across the region. In Brampton, where a town crier read the VE Day proclamation and a wreath was laid, ITV News Border spoke to Shelagh Smith, now 91, who was an eleven year old living in Chapel Stile in Great Langdale when the war broke out in 1939. "I can remember the day war broke out," she said. "I was standing in the main I suddenly heard shouting and it came from about a mile away and it got nearer and nearer, people shouting one to the other." "They were shouting, 'we're at war.' Because that was the means of communication. Very few people had wireless's, because they were so expensive." Local services and institutions are also making statements 80 years on from VE Day. In a post on X, Cumbria Fire and Rescue wrote: "Today we come together as a community and nation, as millions did on 8 May 1945, to mark VE Day."80 years after celebrations broke out signifying the end of the Second World War in Europe, we remember and pay tribute to those that served and the VE Day generation." What is VE Day? VE Day, which stands for 'Victory in Europe', was the day in 1945 where allied forces accepted the unconditional surrender of Germany, following Adolf Hitler's suicide. It marked the end of the war in Europe, which had raged since 1939. But the Second World War continued for almost another four months, until the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki forced the surrender of Japan, bringing the conflict to an end. In Appleby, Mayor Pamela Davidson laid a wreath and gave a speech. "We celebrate VE Day because that has given us the freedom to enjoy what we have today," she said. "I always think of my Grandad who was a soldier in the war," she added. "He was in charge of a regiment of tanks, fighting against Rommel."
BBC News
05-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Peterborough to be lit up for VE Day anniversary
A city will be lit up in red, white and blue to mark the 80th anniversary of VE in Europe Day is marked on 8 May, which signifies the end of World War Two in Cathedral and Queensgate shopping centre in Peterborough will be among buildings joining in the celebrations with themed buntings, with some decorations already on display along Bridge Street in the city City Council said the city would stand "proud", adding that a civic ceremony would be held at the Town Hall with a proclamation from the town crier and the lighting of a beacon. 'Bring community together' Singers will be performing throughout the day to mark the special a vintage tea party is being hosted at City College Peterborough, with VE Day-themed activities across subjects including maths, history, and creative sessions for students to join City Council's head of safer communities Clair George said: "Our city will stand proud marking the anniversary of VE Day."The raising of the flag, and the lighting of the beacon outside our town hall, are always poignant and thoughtful moments of reflection on those who gave their lives, and we would welcome those who want to attend and pay their respects."City College Peterborough Principal Tasha Dalton said: "We are proud to be part of the VE Day celebrations, we will bring our community together with pride, and reflection." Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
