VE Day Celebrations

This Friday (8th May) marks 75 years since VE Day when the Second World War came to an end in Europe. The long-anticipated news resulted in spontaneous celebrations across the country and a national holiday was declared, when people from all walks of life came together to mark the occasion.

However, the war in the East did not end until 15th August 1945 when Japan finally surrendered. The day was celebrated across the world as Victory over Japan (VJ Day).

To mark this important anniversary, the UK government has designated Friday 8th May a Bank Holiday as part of the three-day weekend worldwide celebrations to remember the enormous sacrifices that were made both at home and abroad and to celebrate as people did 75 years ago, the arrival of peace in Europe.

Because of the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic emergency and consequent guidance from Public Health England on mass gatherings, the UK government has announced that plans to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe will now be changed.

For safety reasons, organisers and participants have sadly scaled back, cancelled or postponed the majority of their community celebrations due to take place on the bank holiday weekend of 8th to 10th May.

And to protect the health and wellbeing of the Second World War generation and members of the public, the veterans' procession down the Mall and the events in St James's Park will no longer go ahead.

But we will be marking the day here at 106.9 SFM - so please tune in.