Staffordshire will play its part in commemorating the 80th anniversary of VE Day with a host of events spread across the county.
Residents are being encouraged to get out and mark the occasion at local community events, pay tributes at local war memorials or join attractions such as the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, at their celebrations. Dozens of street parties are also set to be held.
Victory in Europe Day on Thursday, 8 May marks 80 years since the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany.
The National Memorial Arboretum is the nation’s year-round place to remember and has launched The Year Was 1945…, a programme of events which includes a VE Day celebration this weekend taking inspiration from the iconic street parties of 1945, alongside Acts of Remembrance, themed exhibitions, and guided talks and tours.
Mark Ellis, National Memorial Arboretum Lead, said: “Life in Britain in 1945 was a time of both celebration and challenge. The nation rejoiced as VE Day signified the end of the war in Europe, subsequently followed by the relief of VJ Day in August, bringing six years of global conflict to a close. Yet, for many, the hardship was far from over. Communities continued to grapple with rationing, the return of loved ones from military service, and the enormous task of rebuilding their lives and cities.
“At the Arboretum this year, ‘The Year Was 1945…’ will take visitors on a journey back to that seismic period, sharing real stories from those who lived through these historic moments. Our programme of events will offer opportunities to reflect, learn, and commemorate these significant anniversaries.”
Other events on Thursday include an immersive 1940s event in Lichfield’s Market Square between 1pm and 4pm, a display of wartime memorabilia in Cheadle as part of the town’s celebrations, a beacon lighting at Stone’s war memorial and a ticketed event hosted by Norton Canes Parish Council.
Staffordshire History Centre, in Stafford, will host a morning of pop-up activities such as WW2 object handling on Thursday, while the town will also commemorate the anniversary with a special event at Victoria Park next Saturday (10 May).
Joanna Terry, Head of Archives and Heritage at Staffordshire County Council, said: “We’re incredibly lucky to have such a fascinating collection of photos which help lift the lid on what life was like at the time. These photos capture how Staffordshire people marked the end of the war in 1945.
“People can view the collection of photographs for free, along with thousands of other images relating to the county’s history on the Staffordshire Past Track website. We’re also hosting a pop-up event at our new centre on VE Day itself , featuring objects you can handle, craft activities and a spotlight talk. So, if you haven’t visited us yet, then this is the perfect time to do so.”
The Staffordshire Regiment Museum Trust, in Whittington, near Lichfield, is hosting a VE Day street party complete with rations, music and traditional toys and games, on 10 May. Places must be booked in advance here.
Tamworth Castle has various activities taking place between 6 and 11 May, including sending morse code, decoding secret messages and an air raid shelter survival test. Activities are included in the normal castle admission price.
Newcastle-under-Lyme’s Brampton Museum is hosting various events including film shows and a talk about plastic surgeon pioneer John Grocott and his work treating Second World War pilots at North Staffs Infirmary. Find out more here.
In Stoke-on-Trent, people are invited to dance and sing along to music from the wartime era at a ball being held at Fenton Town Hall on 10 May. Tickets are available here.
Staffordshire County Council’s libraries are also celebrating the occasion with events including a flypast of a Lancaster B1 PA474, one of the only two remaining airworthy Lancaster Bombers out of the 7,377 that were built, due at Perton Library around 1.30pm on Saturday, 10 May.
Burton Library is hosting a free tea party on Tuesday 6 May and arts and crafts on 10 May, while tea parties also take place in Leek and Newcastle on 7 and 8 May respectively.
At Stone Library, a talk will be held on life during the Second World War on 8 May.
For more information about the library events, click here.
More VE and VJ Day events can be found here.
