Thursday 8th May 2025 marks 80 years since World War II ended in Europe. Communities across Stratford-on-Avon District are organising events to celebrate this historical date. These include:
- Stratford-upon-Avon, 8th May:
- 6:30pm: Bells will ring at Holy Trinity Church
- 7:20pm: Official opening of the Bandstand, followed by a performance from the City of Coventry Brass Band
- Procession to the Garden of Remembrance
- 9pm: A short service of commemoration
- Approximately 9:30pm the lighting of the beacon
- Studley, 8th May: An anniversary celebration at Four Acres Runwood homes.
- Studley, 8th May:
- 9:00am: Together We Stand: Flag Raising & VE DAY 80 Proclamation at Studley Village Hall.
- 10:30am - 1:30pm: VE DAY 80 Coffee & Cake morning at Studley Village Hall. Donations to official VE DAY 80 charities.
- 2:00pm - 4:00pm: VE DAY 80 Tea Dance at Studley Village Hall - Ticketed Event Contact Julie Summers 07919 137 829
- 6:30pm: Together We Chime. Let the Nations Bells Ring Loud at St Mary's CofE, Castle Road. Help Ring The Bells. Everyone Welcome to join in. (Minimum age 14. Under 18s to be accompanied by an adult)
- 9:30pm: Lighting the Beacon with Flames of Peace: A Global Tribute On the Millennium Green. Sing - A- Long with the Nation "I Vow To Thee My Country" On the Millennium Green.
- Claverdon, 8th May: Beacon lighting.
- Henley-in-Arden, 8th May: Henley-in-Arden Royal British Legion will lay a wreath at the roll of honour in St Johns Church.
- Beaudesert and Henley-in-Arden 8th May:
- 9:00am: Flag raising and proclamation, Market Cross
- 10:00am: Wreath laying, St John's
- 12:30pm: VE Day picnic, Jubilee Gardens (contact sue@wetmacotts.co.uk)
- 6:30pm: Church bells will ring for 30 mins
- 6:30pm: Arts4All free ticketed event, Memorial Hall
- Beaudesert and Henley-in-Arden 10th May:
- 7:30pm to 8:00pm: Ticketed event RBL - VE Day Anniversary Knees-up, Memorial Hall
- Beaudesert and Henley-in-Arden 11th May:
- 9:30am: all to assemble at St Nicholas Church and parade to St John's.
- 10:00am to 10:45am/11:00am: celebratory service, St John's.
- 11:00am: post service tea/coffee at St Nicholas Church Hall
- 11:00am to 2:00pm: VE Day Garden Party at St Nicholas Church Hall.
- Alcester on the 8th May: Beacon lighting at The Centenary Fields, Stratford Road.
- Southam, 10th May: Free big breakfast.
- Lighthorne, 11th May: A street party on Post Office Lane.
For more information about any of the events please follow this link.
Warwickshire Libraries are also hosting a variety of events throughout the month of May. If you are interested in finding out more about them, visit their Eventbrite page for more information.
If you are hosting a VE Day 80th anniversary event and would like your event listed here, please contact us at corporate.communications@stratford-dc.gov.uk
