VE Day 80th Anniversary - Thursday 8 May 2025

VE DAY 80: HOW THE NATION WILL REMEMBER FALLEN HEROES AND CELEBRATE THE PEACE AFTER SIX YEARS OF WAR

On Thursday 8th May 2025 the nation will come together to remember the millions that paid the ultimate sacrifice fighting and securing the freedom we all enjoy today.

From early morning when the sun rises to evening as night descends, church bells will ring out, special flags will be flown, town criers will proclaim the victory, the haunting sound of bagpipes will fill the air and, in a final gesture of homage, beacons and Lamp Lights of Peace will be lit to signify the light that emerged from the darkness of war.

Schedule of VE Day 80th Anniversary Events:

9.00am – Town Crier Proclamation – The day will begin with a special proclamation by the Town Crier, delivered in the Wimborne Minster Town Square. The proclamation will set the tone for the day’s events, as the town gathers to reflect on the significance of VE Day.
2:00pm – A local Ukelele group – Band on the Strum – Playing in the garden of the Museum of East Dorset.
WWII Exhibition in the Voices Gallery – Museum of East Dorset
4:30pm – School Poetry competition – the winning entries from the Schools Poetry Competition will be announced on the Minster Green. The young poets will have their entries read aloud, celebrating the poignant thoughts and reflections of the next generation on the significance of VE Day.
5:00pm – Bells of Peace A moving tribute, the bells of Wimborne Minster Church will ring out in a symbolic gesture, echoing the joy and relief of VE Day and marking the long-awaited peace.
6:00pm – Minster Service and Blessing – A special Minster Service will take place at Wimborne Minster Church, featuring a blessing for peace and a reflection on the sacrifices made by those who fought for freedom. This poignant service will be a central part of the town’s commemoration.
6:45pm – Wreath Laying Ceremony – A wreath laying ceremony will be held at the Wimborne Minster War Memorial, where community members, veterans, and local dignitaries will gather to honour those who gave their lives in the service of their country.
8:30pm – Procession to the Cemetery – Led by the Quarterjacks marching band. The town will come together in a solemn procession to the Wimborne Cemetery, where a special tribute will be held for the fallen heroes of the war.
9:00pm – Illuminating War Graves at Wimborne Cemetery – In a poignant tribute, the graves of 31 fallen soldiers will be illuminated, ensuring their sacrifice is never forgotten and casting a light on the courage and bravery of those who fought in the war.
9:30pm – Lighting of the Beacon (An International Tribute) – The evening will culminate with the Lighting of the Beacon, a symbolic tribute to the resilience and unity shared by nations at the end of the war. This beacon lighting will connect Wimborne Minster with other communities across the country, paying tribute to the international nature of the peace that was achieved.
9:35pm – Discharge of Muskets or Cannon by the Wimborne Militia
The day will end with a traditional discharge of muskets or cannon, performed by the Wimborne Militia, offering a dramatic and historic closing to the commemorations.