VE Day 80th celebrations in Lincolnshire
Celebrations are to take place across Lincolnshire to mark Allied victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two.
On 8 May 1945, people around the world celebrated Germany's surrender, which had been agreed the previous day.
Victory in Europe (VE Day) comes ahead of Victory in Japan Day (VJ Day) on 15 August, which commemorates the end of the 1939 - 1945 conflict.
Here is a selection of events being held across the county to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
The memorial Spire is at the heart of the International Bomber Command Centre [IBCC]
A thanksgiving service will be held at the International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC) , The Spire, Lincoln on 11 May at 10:30 BST.
The IBCC is dedicated to the 58,000 men and women who lost their lives serving or supporting Bomber Command during World War Two.
Skegness flypast
Events in Skegness include a ukulele band, a standards parade, flags raised and thanksgiving speech from the mayor between 10:00 to 12.30 BST on 8 May.
On 10 May, The Skegness Branch of the Royal British Legion and Skegness Carnival are hosting an event which includes vintage military vehicles, stalls, 1940s music and local choirs from 10:00 to 16:00 BST.
Both events will be held at Tower Gardens in Skegness, include a Battle of Britain Memorial flypast and are free of charge.
Boston events
Organised events include The Haven VE Day Celebrations at White House Lane in Boston from 10:30 to 18:00 BST on 8 May.
A spokesperson from Boston Borough Council said: "We're inviting everyone to come together for the Great British Food Festival for a day of fun, food, and to honour the veterans who ensured we could live peacefully today."
Grantham celebrations
On 8 May, military exhibits will be on display at Wyndham Park's visitor centre, alongside music and dance from Grantham School of Dance, followed by a beacon lighting at 21:30 BST.
South Kesteven District Council Cabinet member for Armed Forces, Councillor Phil Dilks, said: "It's vital that we never forget the sacrifices of so many who fought for our freedoms."
Beacon lighting
In Burgh le Marsh, celebrations begin with a service at the parish church from 16:30 BST on 8 May, followed by a BBQ, games and a school choir performance at Windmill restaurant. The event will conclude with the lighting of the town's beacon at 21:00.
In Wellingore, there will be a beacon lighting event on 8 May at 21:30 followed by a VE Day anniversary evening at Wellingore Memorial Hall on 10 May, featuring a 16-piece big band.
Waltham picnic
A 1940s themed picnic will be held at Waltham Windmill on the 10 May from 11:00 to 15:00 BST. The free event includes face painting, food stalls, evacuation train rides, a quiz and balloon-modelling. Live music and dancing will top off the event and a prize for the best 1940s outfit.
South Holland events
Veterans will be in attendance when South Holland District Council raises the flag outside its council offices on Priory Road, Spalding, at 11:00 BST on 8 May.
In Carters Park in Holbeach lamps of peace will be lit, food stalls, music and the lighting of the beacon will take place on 8 May from 17:00 to 22:00 BST.
Branston vehicles
Food, music and games will kick off events at Branston and Mere Village Hall from 12:00 to 18:00 BST on 10 May. A range of vehicles from the 1940s and military will also be on display.
Dambusters hotel event
Blind Veterans UK charity is holding a day-long event at the Petwood Hotel in Woodhall Spa on 8 May.
The building was the headquarters of the 617 Dambusters RAF squadron in World War Two.
Around 50 blind veterans will attend the event which features a parade of military vehicles, readings from local schoolchildren, food and music.
The Battle of Britain memorial flight fly over the hotel with Spitfires and Hurricanes.
Events start at 11:00 BST with the military convoy and the flypast is scheduled at 16:00.
Are you planning a VE Day event? Let us know. Email looknorthemail@bbc.co.uk
Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
More related stories
Related internet links
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
Service for WW2 British soldier killed in Alderney
A memorial service has been held for the only British serviceman to die on active duty in Alderney during World War Two, 80 years on. About 40 people attended the service on Saturday, at Sapper George Onions' grave in St Anne's church cemetery, on the island. The Royal Engineer died on his 22nd birthday on 21 June 1945 while clearing the island of mines after the German Occupation. The service, led by Reverend David Stretton, included wreath laying by States of Alderney president William Tate, schoolchildren and reservists from the Guernsey section of the Jersey Field Squadron. A simple service is held annually to remember Sapper Onions, who was born in Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent. It is believed he died while unloading a lorry carrying supposedly decommissioned mines and detonators, one of which accidentally exploded. The organisers, Alderney Churches Together said Sapper Onions is remembered with affection for both his service and his engagement with the local community. More news stories for Guernsey Listen to the latest news for Guernsey Alderney Churches Together Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
The church which was bombed for Hitler's birthday
On 19 April, 1941, South Merstham in Surrey received a very unwelcome birthday present. As German bombers returned from London having taken part in raids to mark the birthday of Adolf Hitler the following day, planes from the raid dropped a surplus parachute mine into Battlebridge Lane which created an 180 sq ft (16.7 sq m) crater and destroyed All Saints Church. The church was damaged beyond repair, but from its salvaged remains rose Canada Hall, which stands in the village to this day. Its church warden, Mary Kennedy, says she does not think people walking past recognise the significance of the new building – or its name. Speaking to Radio Surrey, she said: "The hall was built by Canadian soldiers billeted in the area. Everything in the building was built from salvaged material from the bombed church, except for some cement and paint. "Local people believed it was because of the railway. Every time the village got bombed it was shortly after a train had gone through. "I don't think people understand the history of it. They walk past it but not everyone realises why it is called that." The bomb did cause fatalities – 10 people died and the vicar of the church was severely injured. But from the ravaged church rose a new building. Initially intended as a temporary church, Canada Hall was consecrated in 1943 and dedicated in 1952. In fact, the church was one of only two in the country to be consecrated during World War Two – the other was built by Italian prisoners of war on the Isle of Orkney. Now, information panels in the church share the history of the old building and what has since replaced it. In its new form, Canada Hall now stands as a key monument to South Merstham's wartime history. Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. The 19th Century church sealed for Second Coming Inside the signal box standing the test of time All Saints Church, South Merstham
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
VJ Day veterans to be honoured on 80th anniversary
Veterans who served in the Far East during World War Two are being invited as guests of honour to a service to mark the 80th anniversary of the allied victory there. The Royal British Legion (RBL) is asking both veterans and their families to register for the event, at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire, on 15 August. VJ Day (Victory in Japan) marks Japan's surrender to the Allies in 1945 following the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which effectively ended the war. The service will pay tribute to all those who served in the region, including Burma Star recipients, British Indian Army veterans and former prisoners of war. It will also commemorate those who fought in pivotal battles, including Kohima and Imphal in India. Veteran Owen Filer, 105, who was serving in India on VJ Day in 1945, plans to travel to the event from his home in Cwmbran, Wales, and said it would be a "poignant day". He said: "This is a significant moment for my generation and for all those who served out there and back home before Japan surrendered. "It will be an honour to be with the Royal British Legion and fellow veterans 80 years after the world went through so much, and to remember those who never made it back." Amrit Dhatt, whose grandfather Rajindar Singh Dhatt was drafted to East Asia with the Indian army, said he and comrades had "fought for our peace for today". "We need to come now together to remember that and to remain in unity," she told BBC Breakfast. The former Sgt Maj died on 21 May, at the age of 103 and Ms Dhatt said he had lived an "incredible life". "He was always so fond of speaking about his memories and for that I'm grateful because I had that first-hand experience of learning about what he went through," she added. The event comes weeks after the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. RBL research suggests there are about 8,000 surviving World War Two veterans in England and Wales, based on census and ONS data. The charity warned the number was likely to fall to below 300 over the next decade. Director General Mark Atkinson described the 80th anniversary as "one of the last opportunities" for the nation to thank veterans for their service. "We owe it to all those with a connection to VJ Day to pause and reflect on their contribution and legacy," he added. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: Veteran, 100, recalls 'getting squiffy' on VE day VE Day 80: Poignant thank you to a heroic generation VE Day, VJ Day, D-Day: What's the difference? Royal British Legion
