Today marks 80 years since German forces surrendered marking the end of conflict in Europe
VE Day 80th Anniversary as Liverpool Scottish Regiment accompanied by The Scots Guard and the Wirral Pipe band perform outside Liverpool Town Hall(Image: Photo by Colin Lane)
All corners of the Liverpool City Region are to pull out the stops to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day. On May 8, 1945, German forces signed an unconditional surrender to bring an end to conflict in mainland Europe.
It would go on to be known as Victory in Europe (VE) day thereafter. Now communities across the country are being encouraged to celebrate the landmark day eight decades on.
Celebrations got underway on Sunday throughout Merseyside including a parade through Liverpool city centre as hundreds lined the streets. With today marking the official anniversary, a whole host of events are taking place across the wider city region.
In Liverpool, key civic buildings including the Town Hall will be illuminated in red, white and blue. From 6.30pm, the bells at the city’s two cathedrals and Liverpool Parish Church will lead churches across the city in ringing out as part of the nation’s Together We Chime VE80 initiative.
In a moment of national unity four beacons at Exchange Flags will be lit as a symbol of peace and remembrance accompanied by civic dignitary speeches and a lone piper. The four beacons will be positioned in locations that mirror the four bunker walls that still sit under the site today.
This space was key for operations during the Second World War, with air to the bunker provided via a ventilation shaft that was built into the Nelson Monument which takes pride of place in Exchange Flags. The Western Approaches museum is also holding day-long celebrations, talks and games at the former headquarters for the Battle of the Atlantic – and entry for children is only £1.
Commemorations on the Wirral will start at Wallasey Town Hall, where the Mayor Cherry Povall JP will be joined by veteran representatives to raise a special VE Day flag at 9am. The Mayor will then travel to the Williamson Art Gallery and Museum to view an original painting of VE Day Celebrations in Hamilton Square, Birkenhead, which will be put on display especially for the 80th anniversary and will be available for the public to view until December.
VE Day 80th Anniversary as Liverpool Scottish Regiment accompanied by The Scots Guard and the Wirral Pipe band perform outside Liverpool Town Hall(Image: Photo by Colin Lane)
At 11am the Rector of Birkenhead Priory Parish, Revd Paul Bentley, will lead a Service of Commemoration and Celebration in Hamilton Square which will include a reading of the national VE Day Anniversary Proclamation and a performance by children from Birkenhead School.
The sound of pipes and drums from Wirral Pipe Band will also fill the square, with the premier of Celebratum, which has been composed for pipers to play at VE Day celebrations across the country. A VE Day tea dance and sing-along featuring the Bel Canto Singers will be held at Wallasey Town Hall from 1pm to raise funds for good causes.
There will also be a rare opportunity to visit the secret wartime manufacturing facility beneath the New Palace in New Brighton – officially registered as US Army Depot 0616 – throughout the day.
To celebrate the 80th anniversary, Wilkie Leisure Group is opening tunnels under the Amusements Arcade to reveal its hidden World War Two story, where two hundred ordinary women made an extraordinary contribution to the war effort.
Working underground up to eight hours a day, they produced 25,000 20mm shell cases and more than 250,000 machine gun bullets each week. Visitors can also visit the underground social club – The Creep Inn – where Forces Sweetheart Vera Lynn sang ‘We’ll Meet Again’ during a secret visit.
Knowsley landmarks including the Greystone Road Bridge on the M62 and Archway Road railway bridge will be illuminated red, white and blue. The church bells at St Marys Church, Prescot, will be rung at 11am to mark the anniversary.
The Southport Royal British Legion will hold a VE80 service at Southport War Memorial on Lord Street from 11am. Members of the Armed Forces and veterans wishing to take part are asked to meet at the South Colonnade at 10.40am. At 9.30pm, the Sefton Town Crier will attend the Southport War Memorial and make a very special VE Day proclamation.