Residents and organisations have been given encouragement to hold events commemorating Victory in Europe (VE) or Victory over Japan (VJ) with support towards financial costs.
Stafford Borough Council has announced is waiving the usual fee for road closures to save organisers paying out if they are running an event to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War 2.
Meanwhile, Staffordshire Moorlands District Council has created a grant fund totalling £20,000 with grants of up to £1,000 available for those arranging events or associated activities open to the general public directly related to VE Day, VJ Day 80 or for preparations leading up to a relevant event.
Organisations across the county can also bid for lottery money to help put on activities.
Stafford Borough Council Leader Aidan Godfrey, said: “We know how much our communities respect and appreciate the sacrifices made, both at home and abroad, to protect the freedoms that we enjoy today.
“Many will want to pay their own tributes – and I want to help remove some of the costs and administration that may be a barrier to them commemorating these important dates with family, friends and neighbours.”
With VE Day falling on Thursday, 8 May, the council will not be charging for the administration costs of putting a road closure in place on the Bank Holiday weekend before that date (3 to 5 May) – or on the following weekend (10 and 11 May). VJ Day is Friday, 15 August.
Anyone requesting a road closure for an event must do so four weeks in advance.
Staffordshire Moorlands District Council Leader Councillor Mike Gledhill, said: “The sacrifice and selflessness of the Second World War generation is truly inspirational and will never be forgotten.
“We know that our communities will be keen to mark this historic anniversary and I hope that these grants will help people across the Moorlands take part in events and activities that honour that generation and, indeed, all our service personnel.”
The grant fund website can be found here.
More information about road closures in Stafford District can be found via this link.
People can also advertise their events on the borough council’s events calendar here.
The National Lottery Community Fund is open to all, click here to find out more.
