The 80th anniversary of VE Day (Victory in Europe Day) will be celebrated in Sandwell in May with a civic service, street parties and a Fabulous 40s event to honour the Second World War generation.
Sandwell Council has announced its plans to remember the end of World War II in Europe and pay tribute to the bravery and sacrifices of all those who served.
The main civic service will take place on VE Day 80 on Thursday 8 May with a small parade followed by a service in Oldbury Civic Square led by Reverend Dwayne McQuaid, with support from Royal British Legions.
The service will be held outside Sandwell Council House, Freeth Street, Oldbury, B69 3DB (sat nav postcode), from 11am to 12 noon. Everyone is invited to attend, and people are asked to arrive at 10.45am in time for the parade. Light refreshments will be served after the service.
To commemorate this historic milestone, Sandwell Council has waived road closure fees to encourage communities across the borough to take part in VE Day 80 street parties.
People can find advice about street parties and street meets on the Visit Sandwell website where there is also information on how to apply for a road closure if needed. The closing date for road closure applications is Friday 25 April.
The council strongly encourages organisers of street parties to take advantage of the Bank Holiday weekend from 3-5 May or the following weekend from 10-11 May to hold events.
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 5 May, with live music, costume characters, vintage vehicles, entertainment and much more. This free event will run from 12 noon to 4pm. No booking is required.
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 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.”
To keep up to date with what’s happening in Sandwell for VE Day, visit the council’s VE Day 80 webpage and sign up for the council’s weekly newsletters
The government website has information on national plans for VE Day 80. The VE-VJ Day 80 website has ideas and suggestions of how to get involved and celebrate.