On Thursday 8 May 2025, the United Kingdom will celebrate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day when the Second World War ended in Europe.
15 August is also the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan (VJ) Day which marks the day that Japan surrendered.
These dates provide opportunities for the nation to come together to honour and pay tribute to the Second World War generation from across the UK, Commonwealth and Allied Nations.
The Government is keen for residents who may want to celebrate the anniversary of VE Day by having a street party or community gathering, to do so on Monday 5 May which is a Bank Holiday. This is being themed as the Great British Food Festival, recollecting how communities came together 80 years ago to share that celebration. Further information can be found at: https://ve-vjday80.gov.uk/gbff/
If you are planning to have a street party on a public road, you will need permission from Hertfordshire County Council to close the road. Most requests are free if it is on a residential street and does not affect a bus route.
Applications can be made at https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/highways-roads-and-pavements/changes-to-your-road/street-parties-and-special-events.aspx
It is advised that applications for VE Day street parties (for the first or second week in May) be made by 6 April 2025 to allow time for processing.
Guidance on holding a street party safely can be found on the Government website at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/your-guide-to-organising-a-street-party/your-guide-to-organising-a-street-party
Communities who come together for VE Day 80 are encouraged to share pictures of their events via the Tip Top Towns, either on social media using the hashtag #VE80 or to submit them on the VE Day 80 Website Tip Top Towns form (https://ve-vjday80.gov.uk/tiptoptowns/) . Entries will be shared on a map and certificates offered to those who provided them.
The National Lottery Community Fund will be making its ‘Awards for All’ programme available to community organisations to bid for grants for these commemorative events. https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/
National events for veterans are being organised by the Royal British Legion and more information can be found at https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/events/remembrance-events/remembering-the-end-of-the-second-world-war
On the evening of Thursday 8 May, Broxbourne Council will host a lighting of a VE Day Beacon at Grundy Park. The event will be accompanied with entertainment. Further details will be available soon.
Later on in the summer, Lowewood Museum will host an exhibition entitled 'Broxbourne at War'. Residents who would like to contribute memories, photographs or artefacts to this exhibition can contact the Museum on info@lowewoodmuseum.org.uk or by telephone on 01992 445596.
For more information and resources, including more ways to get involved in the commemorations, visit: ve-vjday80.gov.uk