THE CHAIRMAN of Wyre Forest District Council (WFDC), Coun John Byng, will raise the special VE Day 80 flag at the authority’s headquarters at 9.45am on Thursday, May 8.
Residents are invited to attend the flag-raising and proclamation event outside Wyre Forest House, Finepoint Way, Kidderminster, which will also feature an official welcome from the council chairman.
It will kick off a number of events and activities across Kidderminster, Stourport and Bewdley to mark VE80 Day, a celebration of the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE).
The end of the Second World War was on May 8, 1945 and events will offer a chance to pay tribute to the millions of people across the UK and Commonwealth who served in the conflict.
Refreshments will be available in reception.
Coun Byng said: “It is a great honour to be raising the flag for the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Everyone is welcome to join us in commemorating this incredibly important date in our history.”
Kidderminster – evening events
There will be a host of events taking place at St Mary and All Saints Church, Churchfields, Kidderminster from 6.30pm to 9.30pm.
The Evening of Remembrance, Tribute and Communuty Spirit will feature bell ringing by St Mary’s Society of Changeringers and Friends, a performance by St Catherine’s
CE Primary School, wartime tunes from The Jukebox Jems and bagpipes by The Celtic Piper, Craig Swarbrick.
Readings will be given by the Deputy Lieutenant, Paul West, the Venerable Hayward Osborne and the WFDC Armed Forces Champion, Coun Kevin Gale.
A parade and line-up will feature veterans associations, ex-service groups, cadets and local organisations and there will be a town crier proclamation from Stephen Day.
A tribute reading and beacon lighting will be undertaken by the Mayor of Kidderminster, Coun George Connolly with the bugle being played by Heidi Worth.
Celebrations and commemorations will also be held in Stourport and Bewdley. Here’s what’s happening in those two towns.
Stourport
Click here for the full VE Day 80 celebrations in Stourport
Bewdley
Click here for what’s happening in Bewdley for VE Day 80
Alternatively, visit wyreforestdc.gov.uk/whatson for more information.
Share on social media
The public can also get involved with the Government’s ‘Tip Top Towns’ campaign on social media, using the #VE80 hashtag.
Visit the VE Day website ve-vjday80.gov.uk/tiptoptowns for more information and how to put local events in Wyre Forest on the VE80 Day map.
