VE Day 2025: Newport travels back to the 1940s to kickstart VE Day 80th anniversary commemorations
A 1940s event in Newport kicked off a week of celebrations and commemorations for the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
On Thursday, May 8, Europe will celebrate eight decades since the formal acceptance by the Allies of Germany's unconditional surrender.
80 years ago, huge crowds took to the streets across the country to rejoice after almost six years of fighting.
To celebrate the anniversary this week, several events have been planned across the West Midlands.
Kickstarting the week, a 1940s event was held in Newport on Monday to celebrate, reflect and remember the sacrifices made by those who lived through the war.
Attendees were encouraged to come dressed in clothing from the era for a day packed with classic war-time songs, cake, tea and beloved 1940s games and music.
Ann Whitfield from the Royal British Legion said it was a “lovely way” to kick off the celebrations of the anniversary taking place across the county all week
She said: “We had a nice steady flow of people all day. It has been great. There's been a lot of interest shown, lots of cups of tea drunk and a lot of cake eaten.
We had lots families, people on their own, husbands and wives, and the young kids were really interested. The WI had a stall on explaiing rationing and they were all agog about how little people had to eat, so it was very informative too.
She said along with the music from the era, there were people there with their own family stories of experiences during the ear.
“It was a lovely community event and really worthwhile. We've a lot more happening in Newport with a proclamation outside the church on Thursday and the lighting of beacons, then more events at the weekend.”
