Community events and street parties as West Midlands comes together to mark VE Day anniversary

Across the West Midlands, communities are being encouraged to mark the occasion with street parties and other events, while councils have been putting together their own plans to mark the anniversary.

Stafford

In Stafford, residents and organisations have taken advantage of fees being waived by Stafford Council to close roads for street parties marking Victory in Europe and Victory over Japan.

A VE Day themed children’s workshop is taking place at the Ancient High House in Stafford town centre, with the venue also holding an exhibition on the lives of local men telling their stories through medals and historical artefacts.

Izaak Walton Cottage will be holding a traditional afternoon tea set against the backdrop of wartime music on Sunday and Stafford Castle will be lit up red, white and blue on the evening of VE Day. 

Victoria Park will be the venue for an afternoon of live music, displays and entertainment on Saturday, May 10, while a service is planned for Saturday, June 21 at St Mary’s Church in the centre of the county town to mark VE and VJ Days and pay tribute to those who gave their lives and made sacrifices in World War 2.

Stafford Council Chief Executive, Tim Clegg, said: “We know how much our residents respect and appreciate the sacrifices made, both at home and abroad, to protect the freedoms that we enjoy today.

“It is great to see communities paying their own tributes - and I’m pleased we were able to help remove some of the costs and administration to enable commemorations with family, friends and neighbours to go ahead safely.”

Sandwell

In Sandwell, the 80th anniversary of VE Day is set to be celebrated with a civic service, a Fabulous 40s event and street parties to honour the Second World War generation.

Sandwell Council has organised events to remember the end of the Second World War in Europe and pay tribute to the bravery and sacrifices of all those who served.

The main civic event will take place on VE Day 80 next Thursday  outside Sandwell Council House in Oldbury Civic Square.

Starting with a live brass band from 10.30am, followed by a small parade at 10.45am, the event will then have a service from 11am to 12pm led by Rev. Dwayne McQuaid, with support from Royal British Legions.

The event is free to attend and everyone is invited, with a temporary road closure in place in Freeth Street for this event.

Before the main civic event, the annual Fabulous 40s event at Haden Hill House and Park in Cradley Heath will have a special VE Day 80 theme on Bank Holiday Monday, with live music, costume characters, vintage vehicles, a 1940s medical station, ‘make do and mend’ activities, and much more.

The free event, run by the council’s museums service, will run from 12pmto 4pm.

The Mayor of Sandwell Councillor Syeda Khatun MBE said: “Five years ago, we marked VE Day 75 from our homes during the first lockdown of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Now, we have an opportunity to meet again in our streets and communities, joining together to celebrate VE Day 80.

“We will reflect on the sacrifices made by the Second World War generation, to honour them for what they achieved and to celebrate their legacy.

“We will pay tribute to all those who gave so much to liberate Europe as well as Japan later in 1945. This includes everyone who fought overseas, including people from around the Commonwealth, everyone who served their country on the home front and all those who sadly never came home.

“We also wish everyone holding street parties and street meets a wonderful time celebrating with their families, friends and neighbours.”

Lichfield

Lichfield City Council is hosting a VE Day event on Market Square on May 8, with music from the era, a pop-up café, traditional fish and chips and ice cream on offer and people also invited to bring their own picnics and enjoy the entertainment from 1pm to 4pm.

The day will also feature a craft fayre on Minster Pool Walk from 10am to 4pm, while a photo exhibition with images from the period will be on display at the same time in Lichfield Guildhall.

There will also be information about the Lichfield Spitfire aircraft which was funded through subscriptions from the city’s residents.

It served during the Second World War before being shot down over Calais on February 3 1943.

Staffordshire

Elsewhere in Staffordshire, there will be a special weekend of celebrations at the National Memorial Arboretum, taking inspiration from the street parties of 1945, with other activities include local services, a pop-up event at the Staffordshire History Centre and activities in local libraries.

Visitors to Perton library on Saturday, May 10 can see a flypast of Lancaster B1 PA474.

The bomber, part of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, is one of the only two remaining airworthy Lancaster Bombers out of the 7,377 that were built and the flypast is due around 1.30pm.

Sue Ball, Libraries and Arts Manager at Staffordshire Council, said: “It’s great that our libraries are joining in the celebrations, with a whole host of family activities and entertainment.

“This is a significant anniversary that marks the end of World War II in Europe and an opportunity to remember the courage of those who fought and died for our freedom.

"I do hope people are able to visit their local library and join in the celebrations.”

At Stone Library on May 8 at 2.30pm, people can join the ‘Make Do and Mend’ talk from Kath Reynolds.

She will be delivering a talk on life during the Second World War, including a discussion on eating chitterlings, pigs’ trotters, tripe, and even how to use a bit of beetroot to enhance lipstick.  The event is free but booking is required.

Sir Ian Dudson, Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire, said: “VE Day is an incredibly important anniversary and we want to bring our communities together to celebrate.

“VE Day signified the end of the war in Europe, bringing six years of global conflict to a close.

"The nation rejoiced but it remained a time of challenge with many people facing rationing, the return of loved ones from military service, and the enormous task of rebuilding their lives and towns.

“We’re encouraging people to get into the community spirit for the anniversary by either putting on their own events or taking part in the national celebrations.

"There’s lots happening over the week, from local services, community activities and street parties including a fantastic week of celebration at the National Memorial Arboretum, which I will be attending on the 8^th itself.”

Darryl Eyers, Director for Economy, Infrastructure and Skills at Staffordshire County Council, said: “This historic day marks the end of World War II in Europe and is an important time to remember the courage of those who fought for our freedom.

“We want everyone to join us in honouring our shared history and celebrating the peace we’ve enjoyed since.  Events will be taking place across the county and I’d urge people to take some time and join the celebrations.

“We’re particularly inviting people to visit the new Staffordshire History Centre where they can see a pop-up event and to visit their local library where there’s lots of activities taking place.”

There will be events in Stone, with a day of remembrance on May 8, with a series of commemorative events set to honour the courage, resilience, and sacrifice of those who lived through and served in the Second World War.

The day will begin at 9:30am with the raising of the VE Day Flag in a short ceremony at the flagpole located at the top of the High Street.

Evening events commence at 8:30pm at the Stone War Memorial, also situated at the top of the High Street, with performances by the Florence Brass Band and the Stone Choral Society, followed by a commemorative service and wreath-laying ceremony.

At 9:30pm, Stone will join the national tribute with the lighting of a Beacon, symbolising peace and unity.

Kidderminster

A special flag flying and proclamations ceremony in honour of VE Day will be taking place at Wyre Forest District Council’s headquarters on May 8.

Members of the public are invited to attend the event, which will take place outside Wyre Forest House in Kidderminster and will start with a formal welcome from Chairman of Wyre Forest District Council, Councillor John Byng, at 9.45am.

Refreshments will be available after the event in Wyre Forest House reception.

Chairman of Wyre Forest District Council, Councillor John Byng said: “It is a great honour to be raising the flag for the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Everyone is welcome to join us in commemorating this incredibly important date in our history.”

More VE Day 80 events will be taking place in Kidderminster, Stourport-on-Severn and Bewdley.

A VE Day event is being held at Eccleshall Community Rooms on May 8, with the locally based 248 Queens Royal Gurkha Signal Squadron in Stafford providing a welcome guard at the event from 1.15pm in full dress uniform and with a piper.

The event is organised by the Eccleshall Community Lounge, which is open each Thursday afternoon, organised by Eccleshall Parish Council, local residents and Rotarians.

The event will also commemorate the involvement of During World War II, when more than 130,000 Gurkha soldiers served in the British Army with substantial casualties whilst fighting in various theatres of war, including North Africa, Italy, Greece, Malaya, Singapore, and Burma.

Beacon Hill Academy in Sedgley will host a day of remembrance and celebration in honour of VE Day, starting with a special open-air assembly at 8:45 am, attended by more than one thousand learners, staff, and registered grandparents of current learners, as well as the Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Hilary Bills.

During the assembly, the school will also be lighting its own Beacon in line with the National Commemoration and, following the assembly, grandparents are invited to a tea party at 9:25 am while, in the afternoon, the school will host a traditional street party for learners, complete with bunting, music, themed activities, and refreshments.

Wolverhampton

Wolverhampton will come alive with grassroots community events marking VE Day 80, with Wolverhampton Council having made £20,000 available in grants from the Safer Prosperity Fund to enable communities to mark this historic occasion in style.

Residents will be holding street parties and joining together in parks, community centres, places of worship and even allotments.

Councillor Obaida Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Digital and Community, said: "VE Day is a time for us to reflect on the immense sacrifices made by those who fought for our freedom. It is also an opportunity to celebrate the peace and prosperity that their bravery has afforded us.

"As we mark this 80th anniversary, let us honour their legacy by fostering a community spirit of unity and remembrance.

In addition to community-based celebrations, the council will be hosting several special events.

The City of Wolverhampton Central Branch of the Royal British Legion will be holding a service of remembrance at the Cenotaph, St Peter’s Square, on Thursday, May 8.

There will also be a Coffee morning at Central Library at 10.30am, with Staff dressing in red, white, and blue, and there will be a green screen and sing-along with school children in Central Library.

The young poet laureate and primary poet champion have been commissioned to write a poem to be read at the event and shared widely on social media.

On Bank Holiday Monday, there is a VE Family Celebration Event at Bantock Park from 11am to 3pm with a themed event with bunting, 40s singers, The Bluebird Belles, and craft activities.

Finally, Wolverhampton Art Gallery will be displaying artwork from its collection for the 80th commemoration of VE Day, with the featured artwork by Edward Bawden, titled "Ravenna: Tired Tanks parked in the Viale Farini, 1944."

Councillor Ahmed said: "We're inviting all residents to participate in these events and join in commemorating this historic occasion.

"Together, we can ensure that the legacy of VE Day continues to inspire future generations."

Additionally, veterans will be attending a wide range of events including The Black Soldiers Story Untold, highlighting the often overlooked contributions of Black soldiers during VE/VJ Day and providing a platform to celebrate their courage.

Vaisakhi at West Park on Sunday will be honouring Sikh war veterans at Vaisakhi, Veterans in the Community will come together for a buffet, music, quiz and raffle.

Bilston Memory Café will be holding a celebration for people with dementia and local veterans, while the RAFA Club will be opening its doors to families, veterans and children alike to commemorate VE Day on Saturday, May 10.

Dudley

In Dudley, the Mayor Hilary Bills will be attending a number of events across the borough on VE Day.

After starting the day at the event at Beacon Hill Academy in Sedgley, she will also be in attendance at events in care homes in Sedgley, Pensnett, Wordsley and Kingswinford.

Additionally, the deputy Mayor Peter Lee will attend the unveiling of the Sedgley Soldier Silhouette and three events at care homes in Stourbridge.

Walsall

Walsall Council is encouraging local communities to come together to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day and pay tribute to all those who served in World War II.

To mark this historic occasion, local communities across the borough will be hosting their own communal street parties around VE Day on Thursday, May 8 to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

Councillor Anthony Harris, the Mayor of Walsall, said: "This year marks 80 years since the end of the Second World War and I’m delighted that Walsall Council is helping our local communities mark this momentous anniversary.

"To help our residents celebrate, we’ve waived the usual fees for road closures and, in partnership with Walsall Community Network, given small grants to local communities for activities such as street parties, family activities and gatherings in community buildings.

"Please come along and be a part of this special day."

Councillor Adam Hicken, Armed Forces Champion at Walsall Council, said: "VE Day is a reminder of our nation’s resilience and courage.

"It’s a time to thank surviving veterans, and honour and pay tribute to those whose sacrifices made peace possible.

"The council will be flying the official VE Day 80 flag outside the Council House and I’m sure the raising of the flag at 9am on Thursday will be a moving start to the day. “

A number of activities and events are taking place across the borough.

A flag raising ceremony outside the Council House in Walsall takes place at 9am on Thursday, May 8. This will be hosted by the Mayor of Walsall and attendees will include Group Captain Ian Sargeant OBE KHS DL, Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands.

Libraries will be marking the anniversary too with VE-Day related events and activities in the seven libraries in the borough including Aldridge, Bloxwich, Brownhills, Darlaston, Streetly, Willenhall and the Lichfield Street Hub in Walsall town centre.

Road closures are planned in Walsall as residents come together to mark VE Day 80.

Walsall Council waived road closure fees to encourage communities across the borough to take part in VE Day 80 street parties.

The authority is encouraging local communities to come together on and around the day to pay tribute to all those who served in World War II.

A list of closures and times can be found below:

12-26 Beddows Road & 15-29 Beddows Road (Arbury Grove to Rutland Street), Sunday, May 4, 2pm to 5pm

Station Road, Pelsall, Sunday May 4, 10am to 4pm (car park at Railway Inn car park to Victoria Road)

Stewart Road (junction of Salters Road & Coronation Road) Sunday, May 4, 11am to 5pm

Oakland Road, Walsall, Monday, May 5 2pm to 8pm

Perry Hall Drive, Acre Rise, Fenn Rise, Eaton Rise, Monday, May 5, 9am to 8pm

Scott Road (Hurley Close to Bell Road), Monday, May 5, 10:30am to 8pm

Pershore Way, Bloxwich, Saturday, May 10, 11am to 10pm

Queens Road, Walsall, Saturday, May 10, 1pm to 6pm

Councillor Kerry Murphy, Portfolio Holder for Street Pride, said, “I’m very proud of the fact we have waived the usual fees for road closures to help our communities mark a poignant event.

“VE Day is an important occasion for our nation, providing us the opportunity to come together and celebrate our shared history.

“There is information on the council website on local events open to the public, and I would encourage anyone to get to one and be a part of a special day.”