Communities are being urged to gather together to remember and celebrate 70 years since the day when millions of people across the UK shared an unprecedented moment of relief and euphoria that the Second World War in Europe had ended.
Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) signalled that servicemen and women and evacuees could return home and Britain could finally catch its breath, and various events have been organised across the borough in honour of its 70th anniversary.
Cheshire West and Chester Council will be observing the national two minute silence on Friday, May 8 at 3pm by sounding the siren from the steps of Chester Town Hall.
Frodsham will be part of a chain of more than 100 communities from coast to coast which will light their beacons on May 8.
The beacon on Frodsham Hill will be lit at 9.30pm.
A special VE Day lunch will be held at Moules a Go-Go on Watergate Street in aid of the Royal British Legion at 1pm on Tuesday, May 5.
Manager Tracie Vine said: “We will be taking our customers back to the 1940s with songs from Bing Crosby, The Andrews Sisters and Gracie Fields performed live.
“As May 8 this year is both Chester Races and the general election results, we did not want this very important day to be forgotten so have decided to celebrate and remember on Tuesday, May 5.”
Veterans of World War Two are being invited to a service of commemoration at Chester Cathedral at 3.30pm on Sunday, May 10.
Chester Cathedral and Cheshire West and Chester Council are jointly hosting the service and have issued a call to honour the borough’s residents who served in the armed forces during the conflict.
Andrea Thwaite, the council’s acting senior manager for scrutiny, civic and member support, said: “The council and the cathedral would like to take the opportunity of this special anniversary of VE Day to thank veterans from any service from Cheshire West and Chester, and celebrate the role they played in our nation’s history.”
Any veterans who would like to attend are asked to contact Andrea on 01244 972283 or email andrea.thwaite@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk.
