Events to Commemorate 80th Anniversary of VE Day

Published on: 27 Apr, 2025
Updated on: 29 Apr, 2025

There will be two civic events in Guildford on Thursday, May 8, marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day (Victory in Europe Day), when the Second World War in Europe ended with the defeat of the Nazis.

Union flags in Guildford High Street to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

At 9am the Town Crier will mark the official start of the day’s commemorations with a VE Day proclamation in the High Street.

The Rev’d Canon Simon Butler will welcome guests and members of the public for a flag-raising ceremony, while from the balcony of the Guildhall a trumpet fanfare will accompany the raising of the flag.

From 8pm people are invited to gather in Stoke Park for a celebratory event at 8.45pm.

It will begin with a performance by singer Emily Martine, singing a mix of classic wartime hits, swing tunes and British anthems.

This will be followed by a formal welcome by the Deputy Mayor of Guildford elect, Jane Tyson, with a response from Colonel Patrick Crowley MA MBE DL, Deputy Colonel (Retired), Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment.

A VE Day tribute will be read by Michael Cochrane, as a lamplight of peace is lit by a local veteran.

A beacon will be lit at 9.30pm, followed by the singing of I Vow to Thee my Country, led by the Vivace Chorus.

Other events include…

An evening event will take place on the green at Wood Street Village.

A concert and beacon lighting will take place at St Mary’s Church, Perry Hill, Worplesdon.

The Cook family’s celebrations take place in Stoughton Road (the house on the left-hand side going down, before the railway bridge), on bank holiday Monday, May 5. See poster above. Military veterans are welcome.

Ash Parish Council invites people to the Ash Centre in Ash Hill Road on Thursday, May 8, between noon and 2pm, to meet and discuss past experiences, as well as viewing artefacts from Ash Museum.

A peace day poppy wall will be on display, which marks on a map the names of those from Ash who died in both world wars.

Light refreshments will be available.

Let the parish council know if you would like to attend. Tel 01252 328287 or send an email to office@ashpcsurrey.gov.uk.

Alternatively, you can click this link to direct you to a booking form: https://forms.office.com/e/fQTtqXM9ZR

Guildford Cathedral’s county service for the 80th anniversary of VE Day is on Sunday, May 11, at 3pm. Details here.