Latest news with #VictoryinEurope

Leader Live
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Photos and news from schools across Wrexham and Flintshire
If you would like to feature anything from your school, you can share with us direct here or email Ysgol Bryn Alyn, Gwersyllt Ysgol Bryn Alyn athletes Owen Burke, Joe Squires, Ava Stephenson Jones, Mollie Beer and Sophie Davies. The school gave big congratulations to pupils Owen Burke, Joe Squires, Ava Stephenson Jones, Mollie Beer and Sophie Davies who represented Wrexham at the Regional Athletics Championships at Deeside Athletics track last week. Although they didn't qualify for the national stages at Cardiff, they performed really well in their respective events, achieving personal bests in their chosen discipline in the process. Also on Tuesday, the English Faculty was joined by 41 fabulous Year 10 pupils at Venue Cymru to watch a performance of An Inspector Calls. This week, Year 10 will sit their GCSE examination on this text and seeing the play live on stage was great revision for this, as well as being thoroughly enjoyable. The pupils' behaviour was impeccable and the manager of the theatre even complimented the staff on it. Ysgol Ty Ffynnon, Shotton Ysgol Ty Ffynnon pupils at a basketball festival. Selected children from the school took part in a basketball festival held at Deeside Leisure Centre. They worked on developing their basketball skills and then played games against other schools who attended. The children are looking forward to sharing their new skills with their friends. St Mary's Brymbo VA CIW Primary, Wrexham St Mary's Brymbo pupils took part in VE Day celebrations in Wrexham. A selection of pupils were chosen to attend the 80th anniversary VE Day celebrations in Wrexham city centre earlier this month. All pupils had been working hard on Victory in Europe poetry and artwork, to display at the Parish Church, which was admired by members of the public and VE Day celebration VIPs. St Mary's Brymbo pupils took part in VE Day celebrations in Wrexham. St Mary's Brymbo pupils took part in VE Day celebrations in Wrexham. St Mary's Brymbo pupils took part in VE Day celebrations in Wrexham. St Mary's Brymbo pupils took part in VE Day celebrations in Wrexham. Ysgol Gwynedd, Flint Ysgol Gwynedd North Wales NFL Flag team. A team from the school won the North Wales NFL Flag regional tournament at Deeside Leisure Centre last month, winning and opportunity to play in the Welsh Championship in Cardiff on May 6. They joined two other schools from North Wales - Ewloe Green Primary and Prestatyn High School. At the finals, Ysgol Gwynedd, playing as the Chicago Bears, won the overall tournament for the Under 11s and will now play in the National NFL Flag tournament in Leeds on June 18, with an opportunity to win a trip to the USA to play in the World NFL Flag Championship. Ysgol Rhiwabon, Wrexham Earlier this month, staff, students and governors were represented by headteacher, Melanie Ferron-Evans at Buckingham Palace for a Garden Party to celebrate work in education and skills. Ysgol Rhiwabon headteacher Melanie Ferron-Evans at Buckingham Palace with her husband Giles Evans, in the Royal Tea Tent. The King gave permission for a garden party to be hosted at Buckingham Palace, supported by the Department for Education, to recognise and celebrate those working in education across the United Kingdom. For the last 20 years, Ysgol Rhiwabon has been proud to be a member of the Prince's Teaching Institute (PTI) founded by the King when he was then Prince of Wales. The PTI, now known as the Professional Teaching Institute, is a charitable organisation dedicated to excellent teacher and leadership training. The CPD (Continuing Professional Development) events are subject-focused, empowering teachers to provide a rich subject experience for their students. Mrs Ferron Evans said: "It is a privilege to be part of the PTI. The Garden Party and the opportunity to meet the King in the Royal Tea Tent was a great honour. "Staff and students have been involved in the work of the PTI for many years and this event at Buckingham Palace is something we can be very proud of in our school. We are looking forward to being a part of the organisation for many years to come. "Meeting the King gave us the opportunity to thank him for his support and to discuss the work of the important teaching organisation he is responsible for setting up. " Mrs Ferron-Evans was accompanied by her husband, Giles Evans to the event. Wrexham Mayor, Cllr Beryl Blackmore and her consort, Dorothy Lloyd, with students at Ysgol Rhiwabon. • Recently, the school welcomed Wrexham Mayor, Cllr Beryl Blackmore and her consort, Dorothy Lloyd. There were several musical performances by students, the highlight being the school singing A Song for Wrexham. The school choir had won the Song for Wrexham competition organised by Wrexham Music Co-operative in late 2024, with the song now featuring in many promotion films about Wrexham. Students were told about the history of the mayors' and the consorts' chains of office. Cllr Beryl Blackmore said: "We were overwhelmed by the students' respect, their behaviour and their manners, 100% credit to themselves and the school. "The Song for Wrexham was sung with pride by the pupils." She also told the students that the visit was high up on the list of highlights this year.


Canada Standard
20-05-2025
- General
- Canada Standard
Government of Canada to host national ceremony commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands and Victory in Europe (V-E) Day
Toronto, ON - Veterans Affairs Canada will host a public commemorative event in Toronto to mark the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands and Victory in Europe (V-E) Day that will include the official Government of Canada delegation and feature the lighting of the CN Tower as a beacon of peace, a lantern-lighting ceremony, and a symbolic presentation of the commemorative combat boots underscoring the themes of remembrance, peace, and the homecoming of soldiers. The delegation will be joined by Her Honour, The Honourable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, Harman Idema, Consul-General of the Netherlands, Her Worship Olivia Chow, Mayor, City of Toronto, Brigadier-General Joe Robinson, Deputy Commander 4th Canadian Division and Joint Task Forces Central, Canadian Armed Forces, and other dignitaries. The event will include remarks from dignitaries, participation of a delegation of Second World War Veterans, Canadian Armed Forces members, and Cadets, as well as performances by the HMCS York band, the Hamilton Children's Choir, the Borden Military Wives Choir, the East Side 6 Swing Dancers, and the youth of Toronto All-Star Big Band. Location: Canada Lands Square (CN Tower) 290 Bremner Boulevard Toronto, ON M5V 2T6 Date: Thursday, 8 May 2025 Time: 20:00 EDT Notes for media: Media who wish to participate must register by 15:00 EDT on Thursday, 8 May by contacting media@ with their name and media outlet. Media members are asked to arrive by 19:30 EDT. There will be photo opportunities during the event and interview opportunities with the official delegation members after the ceremony if time permits. Please let us know if you have any accessibility needs and we will work with you to enable your participation.


Daily Mirror
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Pub opening hours to change for Euros - details and how far teams need to get
The Home Office said licensing hours will be relaxed - giving football fans extra time to raise a glass to the teams - if England or Wales get to the semi-finals of the women's Euros Pubs will be allowed to stay open later if England or Wales get to the semi-finals of the women's Euros. The Home Office said licensing hours will be relaxed to mark the games - giving football fans extra time to raise a glass to the teams. Instead of the usual 11pm cut-off, pubs will be able to open until 1am on the night of the semi-final or final if England or Wales make it that far. Both have been drawn in the same group, alongside France and the Netherlands, for the tournament, which kicks off in Switzerland in July. The semi-finals take place on July 22 and July 23, with the final on July 27. Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson said: "Nothing quite brings people together like watching our national football teams, which is why we want fans to be able to enjoy every minute of these matches. "We will extend licensing hours should either team progress through the tournament, to allow supporters to watch and celebrate together for longer. I want to wish the best of luck to both teams and let's hope for some more memorable nights this summer." British Beer and Pub Association chief executive Emma McClarkin said: "The pub is the home of live sport. Nothing compares when it comes to bringing atmosphere and camaraderie to watching the football live, and we expect supporters will be flocking to their local to cheer on our brilliant teams. "Our sector plays a huge part in boosting community spirit, and extending licensing hours means people can gather for longer and host even more events that cheer on our squads." Pubs were last allowed to open late to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) day in honour of the World War Two veterans. Night Time Industries Association chief executive Michael Kill described the extended hours as "a positive and progressive move that recognises the growing popularity of women's football and its cultural significance across the UK". He said: "Much like previous extensions for national celebrations, this decision will give communities the opportunity to come together and celebrate in a safe and responsible way, while also providing a welcome boost to the night-time economy. It represents a valuable opportunity for hospitality businesses to maximise trade during a major event - particularly important in today's extremely challenging economic climate."

IOL News
10-05-2025
- General
- IOL News
From sacrifice to celebration: South African Legion marks 80 years of VE Day
Teenager Lucas Johannes Wolmarans (far right) Fourie (centre) and Cowley (left) from Langlaage Minesweeper at Ismailia (Egypt) rest camp during WWII. Image: Supplied The South African Legion will paid tribute to the brave men and women who served during World War II, with a special three-day commemoration marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. Hosted at the Castle of Good Hope from 8–10 May, the exhibition and memorial service aimed to honour those whose contributions have long gone unrecognised. VE Day, which marked the formal end of WWII in Europe on 8 May 1945, may feel like a distant memory to many, but for thousands of South African families, its significance remains deeply personal. Over 334,000 South Africans volunteered for service during the war—many of them young, idealistic, and eager to serve, despite the odds stacked against them. Among these were more than 123,000 men of colour who served in non-combat and support roles, often under challenging and discriminatory conditions. 'This soldier did the most magnificent and brave things. With a number of bullets in his body he returned time after time into a veritable hell of machine-gun fire to pull out wounded men. He is a credit to his country,' said Major-General Dan Pienaar, speaking of Lance-Corporal Lucas Majozi, a Black stretcher-bearer who was later awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his heroism at El Alamein. WAAF Sergeant fitting gas mask Image: Supplied Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The event at the Castle was more than just a history lesson. It was a space to reflect, remember, and reconnect with stories of resilience and sacrifice—stories often left out of mainstream narratives. The exhibition included rare archival photos, first-hand testimonies, and displays dedicated to the Native Military Corps, the Cape Corps, and the thousands of women who played vital roles through the Women's Auxiliary Defence Corps and the South African Women's Auxiliary Services (SAWAS). These women served in the air force, navy, medical units and even the military police, often unpaid and unrecognised. 'We did everything we could, the best we could… and that's it,' recalled naval veteran Lucas Wolmarans—a sentiment echoed by many veterans whose service was quiet but steadfast. Cape Corps Strecher bearers before Monte Caprara battle (Italy) Image: Supplied The commemoration will culminate in a non-denominational memorial service at 11am on Saturday, 10 May. Ian Neilson, former Deputy Mayor of Cape Town, will deliver a keynote on behalf of the Mayor. The service will feature performances by Christel House South Africa's Brass Ensemble and Jazz Band—young musicians from one of the city's most inspiring no-fee schools—as well as the sounding of the Last Post by five trumpeters from South African College High School (SACS), a school known for its longstanding tradition of military remembrance. 'The importance of continuing to mark the anniversary of this global event that had such a profound effect on modern history, is to remind us of the horrors of war and to value the sanctity of peace, lest we forget the former,' said Kevin P. Ashton JCD, Chairman of the SA Legion Cape Town Branch. Benghazi - Lt Hymie Markman_Lt Hymie Markman with 16 Squadron, SAAF, drivers and local Arabic man on donkey Image: Supplied Today will also feature a WWII re-enactment field kitchen, run by The Heritage Group in period dress, sales tables with military-themed books, and a public engagement booth hosted by Commander Mac Bisset (retired) of the Western Cape Military History Society. Members of the public can bring family medals for identification, learn how to access veterans' records, or simply share in a moment of reflection. Visitors are also invited to add a personal message to the Peace Wall—a tribute to the enduring hope for a more peaceful future. South Africa's contribution to the war effort was vast. Besides full-time volunteers, there were more than 63,000 part-time military volunteers across defence, engineering, naval, and home guard units. A further 60,000 unpaid volunteers—many of them women—supported wartime operations through knitting circles, fundraising, and local war effort campaigns. The Cape Coloured Women War Workers (CWWW) and Native Women War Workers (NWWW) were instrumental in this, with 123 active branches and over 6,000 members nationally. Today, close to 12,000 South Africans who died during WWII are commemorated by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, including some 2,000 with no known graves. The Military Museum at the Castle, one of South Africa's oldest heritage sites, will house the exhibition—a fitting location to honour those who helped shape the modern world, often at great personal cost. Tickets to the Castle are R50 for adults and R25 for children and pensioners, available at the ticket office. Exhibition hours run from 9am to 4pm daily. The South African Legion, formed in 1921 by war veterans including Field Marshall Earl Haig and General Jan Smuts, continues its work today—supporting former servicemen and women, advocating for war pensions, and preserving military heritage for future generations. Weekend Argus


Daily Record
09-05-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Generations of people join forces as VE Day event is staged in Ayrshire village
Children from Monkton Primary School and some of the village's older residents came together on Thursday, May 8 at the War Memorial. Villagers in Monkton joined gatherings across South Ayrshire as the county remembered the 80th anniversary of VE Day- Victory in Europe. Children from Monkton Primary School joined forces with some of the village's older residents as they came together on Thursday, May 8 at the War Memorial. The setting was the perfect, yet poignant, venue where the community took a moment to remember the end of armed hostilities and Germany's unconditional surrender in World War ll in 1945. Rev Douglas Muir spoke to the assembled crowd and conducted the ceremony. Then, at 11am the community, including pupils from Monkton Primary School and the Cosy Space social group, stepped forward with painted poppy stones, all with their unique designs and messages, and laid them at the foot of the memorial. A lone piper was also on hand to provide a sombre reflection of the sacrifices of the great many from the past. Helping in advance of the ceremony with some of the painted poppy stone designs was local artist Yvonne Hamilton. Also in attendance were members of the Royal British Legion Scotland, along with standard bearers, members of Monkton Community Council and Central Ayrshire MP, Allan Gemmell. Elsewhere in the county there were services of celebration, the lighting of beacons, art installations commemorating those who lost lives in WWII, community activities, street parties and schools' competition to raise awareness of VE day and its local connections.