Penrith Celebrates Historic 80th Anniversary of VE Day

Today Thursday the 8th May 2025, we mark the historic 80th anniversary of VE Day, with the peoples, families and communities across the nation coming together to unite and celebrate 80 years of peace since the end of World War II in Europe that so many millions paid the ultimate sacrificed to achieve it.

VE Day 80 is not only a tribute to those who fought for the freedom we all enjoy today, but also a powerful reminder of the resilience and unity that have defined our country ever since.

Even though Thursday 8th May 2025 is not a public holiday HM The Kings Pageant master is encouraging everyone to take part and gather in the streets, gardens, town and city halls, clubs and pubs, and at home too, and be part of this anniversary providing a day of joy, reflection, and celebration, as part of the Commonwealth’s 2.4 billion people, reaffirming our commitment to world peace, ensuring future generations understand and cherish its value.

At 9am Town Criers will undertake the VE Day Proclamation as the VE Day 80 flags are raised, in Penrith the Proclamation will be read out at the Town Hall by Penrith Town Councillor Scott Jackson as the representative of the Mayor as the VE Day flag is raised outside the Town Hall. Followed by refreshments in Penrith Parish Rooms for veterans and those from the Armed Forces Community.

At 12noon there will be a national two minutes silence to remember all who gave so much to defend our country and our freedoms, followed by Pipers will play a unique tune especially written for the occasion entitled ‘Celebratum’ from the top of the UK’s four highest Peaks.

At 6.30pm, Cathedrals and Churches will ring out in united celebration throughout the nation.

The Very Revd Jo Kelly-Moore, Chair of the Association of English Cathedrals and the Dean of St Albans said: “On 8 May 2025 Cathedral bells around our nation will ring out as we mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day and give thanks for those who offered their services, and many lives, that we might know peace.”

“As we gather in prayer in our Cathedrals and places of worship on that special anniversary, the bells that ring out are also a call to us to renew our commitment, people of all faiths and none, to work for peace in our communities and in God’s world.”

At 9.30pm over one thousand beacons and hundreds of Lamp Lights of Peace will shine throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, with the flames from them both, representing the ‘light of peace’ that emerged from the dreadful darkness of war, along with the nation coming together in city and town squares to village greens, and all other manner of locations at this special and unique one moment in time, and sing the great British Hymn ‘I Vow To Thee My Country, standing side by side in gratitude, honouring the many sacrifices that secured our freedom.

Leading the nation at 9:30pm in singing “I Vow To Thee My County” will be Chelsea Pensioner Colin Thackeray.

Colin said “I am deeply honoured and immensely proud to accept the invitation from Bruno Peek CVO OBE OPR, Pageantmaster of VE Day 80 - 8th May 2025, to lead our great Nation and its diverse communities in singing I Vow to Thee, My Country at 9:30 pm on 8th May 2025.

This special moment coincides with the lighting of the Beacons and Lamps of Peace, marking the 80th Anniversary of VE Day. It is a heartfelt tribute to those, both at home and abroad, who contributed to the freedoms we cherish today. I warmly encourage individuals, families, communities, organisations, those in care homes and hospitals with their dedicated doctors and nurses, as well as patrons of pubs, clubs, and beyond, to join me in this unique celebration of unity and peace. Let us lift our voices together and make this a truly unforgettable occasion.”

As part of the national beacon lighting at 9:30pm in Penrith a gas beacon will be lit in St Andrews’ Churchyard, by veteran Brain Donaghy who served in the RASC Glencorse Lowland Brigade, and the International Tribute will be read by Kerryanne Wilde who served in the Women’s Royal Army Corps before transferring to the Intelligence Corps.

Before the Beacon lighting at 9.00pm the Lakeland Larks will perform some songs of the period prior to the gas beacon being lit at 9.30pm.

Businesses in Penrith are also joining in the celebrations with shop windows decorated to celebrate VE Day.

Bruno Peek CVO OBE OPR, Pageantmaster of VE Day 80 said  “Together, we honour the past and celebrate a future built on unity, hope, love and peace”.

Penrith.Town News, will bring you the reading of the proclamation from the steps of Penrith.Town Hall at 9am along with the Lighting of the Beacon at 9:30pm live along with a live stream of Colin Thackeray singing “I Vow To Thee My County” and at 3pm we will bring you the famous speech by Sir Winston Churchill announcing the end of the war in Europe that resulted in celebrations across the county.


 


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