As many will already be aware, Thursday 8 May 2025 marks 80 years since VE (Victory in Europe) Day when the Second World War came to an end in Europe.
As the MP of Reading Central I am working with the Government and the Mayor of Reading, Glenn Dennis, and other organisations to remember this significant event. I would like to let readers know how they can take part in the commemorative events that will be taking place in Reading and across the country to reflect on the sacrifice of those from Britain and the Commonwealth who served, as well as those who supported the war effort on the home front.
When the Allies formally accepted the surrender of the Nazi forces on 8 May 1945, it meant the end of a nearly six-year war that had caused unimaginable suffering and cost the lives of so many. In Reading, the news was formally announced by Mayor Newham at the Queen Victoria statue outside the Town Hall and local residents celebrated en masse with street parties and parades across the town.
For those with an interest in local history, Reading Museum’s online exhibition ‘Reading VE Day in Photos’ has a wonderful collection of photographs capturing the atmosphere in the town, including pictures of many of the street parties and parades held; these can be viewed on the following link: https://www.readingmuseum.org.uk/online-exhibitions/ve-day-75/reading-ve-day-photos
80 years on, I hope that the commemorative events that will be held in Reading and across the country will help us pay tribute to the wartime generation in Britain and the Commonwealth who defended our freedom.
Locally, there will be a ‘VE Day 80’ Civic Commemoration Service at Reading Minster starting from 7pm on 8 May. The council has been inviting applications for street parties to be held on VE day and I hope that all the parties planned will be huge successes. Although it is now too late to apply for a street closure on 8 May, the council is still inviting applications made before 21 April for residents to hold street parties over the Armed Forces Day weekend (28-29 June). To support veterans and the armed forces community the council is waiving the normal road closure fees for residents planning an event over this weekend; if you would like to find out more please visit: https://www.reading.gov.uk/news/plan-your-summer-street-party-in-reading/
Later in the summer, Reading will be coming together to honour and remember those who sacrificed so much during WWII on Armed Forces Day, which is on 29 June; more information about what is being planned can be found here: https://www.reading.gov.uk/leisure/things-to-do/events/armed-forces-day/
National commemorations will run from the Bank Holiday Monday on 5 May, until VE Day itself on 8 May, and will include: a military procession from Whitehall to Buckingham Palace followed by a flypast of current and historical military aircraft; a party on the warship HMS Belfast; an installation of ceramic poppies at the Tower of London; a concert in Westminster Hall; a VE Day event at Imperial War Museum North; a special service in Westminster Abbey; a concert for the public at Horse Guards Parade; a special VE Day Tea Party and Commemoration service for eligible veterans at the National Memorial Arboretum; and a special free and unticketed evensong service at St Paul’s Cathedral.
There are also a number of cultural events and community initiatives taking place. These include the ’Letters to Loved Ones’ project asking members of the public to share the letters and postcards that their family members sent during WWII, and the release of a new film called ‘The Next Morning’ that has been produced by the National Theatre with funding from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
Please visit https://ve-vjday80.gov.uk for further information on all these events and activities.
