VE Day 80th Anniversary

VE Day, 8^th May 2025

This year, 2025, marks the 80th anniversaries of VE Day (8^th May) and VJ Day (15^th August). While VE Day (Victory in Europe) marked the end of the war in Europe in May 1945, many thousands of Armed Forces personnel were still engaged in fighting in the Far East. Victory over Japan would come at a heavy price, and Victory over Japan Day (VJ Day) marks the day Japan surrendered, 15th August 1945, which then ended the Second World War.

At these times, in 1945, people from all walks of life came together to celebrate and our villages were no exception. This 80^th anniversary is an opportunity for our special community to come together to honour and pay tribute to the Second World War generation.  Two events are being organised to remember and celebrate VE Day.  A church service will take place on VE Day itself, Thursday 8^th May, at 11am at Barton Turf Church and an afternoon tea with historical displays and musical entertainment will take place on Saturday 10^th May, 2pm at the New Victory Hall, Neatishead.

The anniversary of VJ Day will be remembered with an event at the New Victory Hall in August.  Details to follow after VE Day.

Claire Penstone-Smith,
(on behalf of Revd Ben Bradshaw, the villages’ Parish Councils and
Neatishead, Irstead & Barton Turf Community Heritage Group)