Members of the local community gathered at Penrith Town Hall just before 9am to hear Penrith Town Council Cllr Scott Jackson reading the VE Day proclamation followed by the raising of the VE Day flag outside Penrith Town Hall.
Cllr Jackson was joined on the town hall steps by veterans and council staff and the deputy chair of Westmorland and Furness Council.
Celebrations continued through the day with a Penrith Library and Adult learning staff dressed up in 40s fashion and held a tea party with the youngsters from the baby bounce and rhyme group.
Councillor Doug Lawson, the Mayor of Penrith joined the team at 21 Huntley Avenue, a short break home for children with disabilities, who held a coffee to celebrate VE Day.
Cllr Lawson said "Thank you for inviting me to join you in marking 80 years since VE Day — a moment that signified the end of the Second World War in Europe, and a time to remember all those who gave their lives.”
“It is also important that we recognise those who kept the country running on the Home Front and the many children who were evacuated to safety.”
“It’s wonderful to see children, parents, grandparents and staff coming together to create poppies at Huntley Avenue, in tribute to the sacrifices made by so many."
At 12noon Firefighters, managers and staff at Penrith Fire station joined the rest of the nation in observing a two-minute silence at midday today to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.
The silence was impeccably observed and was a moment to reflect on the magnitude of the sacrifices made to preserve the freedoms we enjoy today.
VE Day events continue this evening 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.