Bunting and flags will be unfurled, beacons lit and parties and gatherings organised as communities in Westmorland and Furness come together to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
The Government has announced four days of nationwide celebrations across the country leading up to VE Day 80 on Thursday, 8 May 2025, with many activities focused on Bank Holiday Monday, 5 May.
Community groups, schools, churches and parish and town councils across Westmorland and Furness are all joining in to help celebrate this historic occasion, with events ranging from tea dances and family picnics to wreath layings, exhibitions and special church services all being arranged.
Westmorland and Furness Council is planning its own activities to mark the anniversary.
Veterans from across the area are invited to attend a VE Day anniversary ‘get together’ hosted by the council’s Chief Legal and Monitoring Officer and Armed Forces Lead Officer, Linda Jones, on Wednesday, 7 May in the Town Council Chamber at Kendal Town Hall.
The get together has been planned to complement the official commemorations in Kendal the following day, 8 May, being organised by the town council.
Forces veterans can join the get together on 7 May for tea, coffee and cake between 12.15pm and 1.15pm and any veterans wishing to attend should contact Cat.Brumwell@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk or call 01539 793 441.
Flags will be flown from council buildings in Barrow, Kendal and Penrith between 8-12 May to mark the occasion and town halls in Kendal and Barrow will be illuminated in the colours of the Union Flag.
The council-operated Dock Museum in Barrow is staging a volunteer-curated VE Day anniversary exhibition and the council’s libraries and archives service have an extensive programme of VE Day-themed events and activities planned.
These include a new exhibition at Barrow Archives telling the story of three local Prisoners of War and VE Day anniversary afternoon tea parties at libraries in Barrow (8 May), Kendal (8 May) and Penrith (9 May), all featuring displays, music, interactive VR headset with immersive films and the launch of a new VE Day reminiscence project to capture locals’ wartime memories.
Westmorland and Furness Council is also supporting some of the activities as part of official commemorations in Barrow and Penrith on 8 May, being co-ordinated by the town councils.
Community event organisers can upload details of their planned activities to the official 80th anniversary at: https://ve-vjday80.gov.uk/ and people should check social media, noticeboards, newsletters and local media for further details about events in their area.
Councillor Virginia Taylor, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Communities and Localities at Westmorland and Furness Council, said: “The 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War offers many opportunities to give thanks and to honour everyone who showed such courage and resilience as a result of the conflict.
“We remember with gratitude everyone in active service; those who gave or lost their life and their families; as well as everyone who stepped into essential roles on the Home Front. We think of the many children who were evacuated to the safety of rural communities such as our own, and particularly remember the ‘Windermere Children’, orphan survivors of the Holocaust, who found sanctuary and a warm welcome in the Lake District.
“I’m aware that there are many, many events taking place in communities right across Westmorland and Furness to mark this special occasion. Everyone pulled together in those years so we can still have strong caring communities today. Although very few are still with us to thank them directly, we can honour their memories by living up to the values they fought for.’’
The timeline announced by the Government leading up to #VE80 includes:
- Monday 5 May – street parties and community gatherings across the country, including on board HMS Belfast in London
- Tuesday 6 May – historic landmarks to be lit up this evening and an installation of ceramic poppies to return to the Tower of London
- Wednesday 7 May – concert at Westminster Hall in London
- Thursday 8 May – service at Westminster Abbey and concert at Horseguards Parade, London.
Later in the summer, on VJ Day, Friday 15 August, the National Memorial Arboretum will host a service to mark 80 years since the end of the war in the Far East.