Bury marks 80th anniversary of VE Day with commemorative service and community events

Saturday, 3 May 2025 10:30

By David Murphy

Bury is preparing to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day with a commemorative service and a programme of local events to honour the end of the Second World War.

The service, which is part of wider borough and national commemorations, will include the ringing of church bells, a reading of the VE Day proclamation, a candle-lighting ceremony symbolising peace, and shared memories from Bury in 1945. Guests are asked to be seated by 6.15pm, and everyone is welcome to attend.

VE Day (Victory in Europe) commemorates the formal acceptance of Nazi Germany's surrender on 8 May 1945. This year also includes remembrance for VJ Day (Victory over Japan), which followed on 15 August 1945 and marked the official end of the Second World War.

Councillor Sandra Walmsley, cabinet member for communities and inclusion, said: “This year’s VE Day marks a poignant moment as we reach 80 years since the end of the Second World War. Bury has a proud military history with the Lancashire Fusiliers, who served in Europe, North Africa and the Far East. The service and sacrifice of people from our borough, both on the front lines and the home front, must never be forgotten.”

In the lead-up to the anniversary, a series of local activities are planned, including:

Radcliffe British Legion black tie dinner dance on Saturday 10 May at 6.45pm
Celebration at Broughton House care home for veterans on 10 May, 2–4pm
Age UK celebrations at the Jubilee Centre, Thursday 8 May
VE Day Bunting Workshop, Bury Art Museum, Saturday 3 May, 2–3.30pm
Special reading materials on VE Day available via BorrowBox
Archive exhibition and Second World War displays at Bury Art Museum

Residents are encouraged to share their own commemorations – from homemade bunting to local arts and crafts – on the council’s VE Day page: bury.gov.uk/local-leisure-events/ve-day-80th-anniversary-celebrations. Public activities can also be submitted to the national celebration site, Tip Top Towns.

National events will begin on Bank Holiday Monday 5 May with the Cenotaph adorned in Union flags, followed by a military procession and flypast in London. A remembrance service at Westminster Abbey and a concert are planned for 8 May, with a separate ceremony marking VJ Day in August.

Further details about VJ Day commemorations in Bury will be released later in the year.

For information or to share local events, contact: armedforces@bury.gov.uk

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