Residents of Bradley Stoke came together to join the town mayor Councillor Natalie Field, other local councillors, our local MP Claire Hazlegrove and all the council staff for the ceremonial lighting of a beacon to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
The short ceremony took place at the town’s Jubilee Centre at 9.30pm on Thursday 8 May and involved a reading of the VE Day 80 tribute, lighting the beacon and singing ‘I Vow To Thee My Country’.
Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) acknowledges the anniversary of the end of World War Two in 1945. The day serves as a reflection of the sacrifices and bravery of those who fought for peace and freedom. It is also a reminder of why we should all strive for peace in the future.
The anniversary is also a good opportunity to educate younger generations about the legacy of VE Day and the importance of remembering the past.
VE Day in 1945 saw an end to nearly six years of a war that had cost the lives of millions, had destroyed homes, families and cities, and had brought huge suffering to the populations of many countries. All across the world, people in 1945 marked the victory with street parties, dancing and singing.
The lighting of a beacon for VE Day is to symbolise the light of peace that emerged from the darkness of World War Two. The beacon is also another reminder of the sacrifices made during the conflict, including the lives of those who served and the millions of animals taken from farms to support the war effort.
