Your guide to events celebrating VE Day 80th anniversary in Bury St Edmunds, Stowmarket, Mildenhall, Newmarket, Haverhill, Ipswich, Thetford and Felixstowe
Communities across Suffolk are set to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day with a variety of events — from vintage music and beacon lightings to ration-style fish and chips.
VE Day, or Victory in Europe Day, marks the end of the World War II in Europe on May 8, 1945 after nearly six years of conflict. Eighty years later, the nation is prepared to celebrate the historic milestone once again.
Here’s a round-up of the events happening across the county to mark the anniversary.
The celebrations will be in full swing tomorrow from 11am in St John’s Street, Bury, as more than 60 shops, cafés, bars and restaurants come alive with wartime spirit.
The street will host live music acts including Nik Lowe and JS and The Lockerbillies outside Beautiful Beers and Three Cats Vintage.
Meanwhile, The Knightingales will perform nostalgic wartime tunes outside Pocket Watches and Petticoats, where a vintage stylist will also be recreating 1940s hairstyles for pre-booked visitors.
Themed window displays, Union Jack bunting and 1940s outfits will also transform the street into a tribute to the era alongside activities for children like face painting.
There will also be a WWII-era Jeep and memorabilia from the Rougham Control Tower Museum on display outside Vinyl Hunter, where DJs will be playing vintage tracks.
Rosie Hunter, from Vinyl Hunter, said: “We have to thank the previous generations who sacrificed so much in order for us to be celebrating 80 years later.
“I was involved in the 50th anniversary in St Johns Street and am delighted to be co-ordinating and acknowledging the 80th anniversary alongside my son, Will.”
On Sunday, a new memorial stone dedicated to the Royal Navy will be unveiled in the Rose Garden at the Abbey Gardens, following a campaign by veterans.
The service will mark 43 years since HMS Sheffield was sunk in the Falklands War. It will include a dedication, wreath-laying by HMS Sheffield veterans and the handover of the Bury St Edmunds Royal Navy Veterans Standard to the Sea Cadets.
Royal Navy VIPs, military personnel and civic dignitaries will attend.
The third major Bury event will see the beacon in the Abbey Gardens lit on Thursday, May 8 with the gates opposite The Fox pub in Eastgate Street open from 8pm.
The beacon will be lit at 9.30pm and entertainment will be provided by Eddie’s Swing Sisters as well as a piper.
A series of events to celebrate the VE Day anniversary has been organised in partnership with Stowmarket Town Council.
On Monday, May 5, the Royal British Legion will host an event at the United Reformed Church and this will be followed by a tea party hosted by Red Gables and the Dementia Community Group at Rookery Bowls Club on May 8.
Also on May 8, the Royal British Legion will hold a celebratory lunch while the town centre is set to come alive with 1940s music performed in the Market Place.
Peter Prinsley MP and Stowmarket’s new mayor are expected to attend events on the day.
Mildenhall High Town Council will commemorate the historic day with a beacon lighting ceremony at The Jubilee Fields on May 8.
The evening will begin at 8pm with live entertainment from DBL, followed by a wreath-laying at 8.30pm in support of the Poppy Appeal.
The beacon will be lit at 9.30pm, joining nationwide tributes.
Ipswich will mark the 80th anniversary on May 8, with service of reflection at the Cenotaph in Christchurch Park at 11am led by the Royal British Legion.
The Mayor of Ipswich and the Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of Suffolk will attend alongside councillors while members of the public are welcome to join in paying their respects.
Later in the day, residents and visitors are invited to join the celebrations taking place on the Cornhill from 7.30pm, organised by Ipswich Borough Council.
Entertainment will include performances by 1940s singer Stacy ‘Kitty’ Collins and the Wattisham Military Wives Choir. A bar will offer drinks and snacks and Union Jack bunting will run from the Town Hall balcony to posts on the Cornhill.
The evening will conclude with speeches from civic dignitaries at 9.15pm followed by the lighting of a ceremonial beacon at 9.30pm.
Elsewhere in town, Clifford Road Primary School will be celebrating the occasion with a special VE Day tea party.
Haverhill Town Council is set to host a commemorative event in Market Square and in St Mary’s Church on May 8.
The day will begin with a formal raising of the Union Flag at 9am.
In the evening, St Mary’s Church will open its doors for a community service starting with bell ringing at 6.30pm and a welcome from the Revd Max Drinkwater at 7pm.
The programme will include an introduction by the mayor, a reading of the 1945 declaration of peace, reflections on Haverhill Waits and a musical medley of pre-recorded songs by Haverhill Silver Band.
St Mary’s Choir will give two performances, including the Hallelujah Chorus.
Readings will also reflect on those still in conflict and those yet to return home.
The service will conclude with a speech from Rev Drinkwater, followed by the national anthem and a final blessing.
Thetford Town Council is preparing to transport residents back to the 1940s with its ‘VE80 Party on the Common’ to mark the 80th anniversary.
The event will take place on Saturday, May 10 from 12pm to 5pm on Melford Common with live music, dancing, food stalls and wartime nostalgia recreating the spirit of 1945 street parties.
Headliners The Swing and Jive All Stars will take to the stage alongside Charlie Wilson, Sam Trayton and The Lindy Hoppers, while families can enjoy fun-fair rides, face painting and appearances by members of Dad’s Army Thetford.
A ‘Thetford Memories of War’ tent will offer a poignant tribute to the community’s heritage as part of the council’s 80 Stories project.
Visitors are encouraged to come dressed in 1940s fashion, bring a picnic and enjoy the celebration.
“This promises to be a truly special day,” town councillor Vic Peters said. “VE80 is not just a celebration of the past but also an opportunity to come together as a community and honour the memories and stories that have shaped us.”
Newmarket will mark the 80th anniversary with a beacon lighting at The Severals.
On May 8, the day will begin with a proclamation read by the town crier outside the memorial hall at 9am.
The town council is organising the beacon event which will begin at 7.45pm with the beacon lit at 9.30pm.
Hot drinks will be available and all residents are invited to attend.
Red Lodge
In Red Lodge, the parish council will be holding a short service at the village’s war memorial in Warren Road at 10am.
This will be followed by a free lunch for the community at the sports pavilion funded by the council and hosted by community organisation Lightwave.
Lowestoft residents are being invited to a day of remembrance and celebration at Sparrows Nest Gardens on May 8.
The event will begin at 3pm and feature a range of stalls, exhibitors and food and drink vendors for visitors to enjoy throughout the day.
Live music will include performances from the Suffolk Glenmoriston Pipe Band, London Brass Band, Sam and the Swingtones, Choir Rocks, Joyee Dee and more.
The Maritime Museum and the Royal Naval Patrol Service Museum will both be open for extended hours and traditional fish and chips will be available at Giardino Bar and Grill.
The day will end with a beacon lighting ceremony at 9.30pm.
The celebrations are being organised by the town council and entry is free.
A series of commemorative events has organised been organised by Felixstowe Town Council which invites residents and visitors to come together for the anniversary.
On May 8, the day will begin with a service of remembrance at 10.45am at the Felixstowe War Memorial in Undercliff Road West.
In the evening, a torch parade will take place at 8.45pm along Undercliff Road West, featuring 112 flaming torches in honour of each Felixstowe resident who died during World War II.
Each name will be read aloud as a torchbearer steps forward and extinguishes a flame, with the ceremony ending with the lighting of a beacon.
Other events in the town include a day of entertainment at the Felixstowe Triangle on Monday, May 5 with jazz performances and vintage military vehicle displays.
This will be followed by and a 1940s wartime tea dance at Martello Tower P on May 10 from 12pm — featuring live music and a welcome address from the town mayor at 1pm.
Tuddenham
In Tuddenham, wreaths will be laid at the war memorial on the village green at 10.45pm on May 8.
Fordham
Fordham will mark the historic moment with a special Songs of Praise for Peace service at St Peter and St Mary Magdalene Church on May 10 at 5pm.
The event is open to all with a warm welcome extended to veterans, ex-service members and current military personnel.
Organisations and community groups have each chosen a favourite hymn for the service which will be briefly introduced by a representative before being sung.
The service will be led by the church choir and organist David Poulter.
Rougham
And finally, the celebrations are coming to Rougham with St Mary’s Church bells ringing out at from 6pm on May 8.
The Bennet Arms in Kingshall Street will be offering ration portions of fish and chips and a wartime singalong with the Rougham Sings Community Choir from 6.30pm. The pub encourages pre-orders as portions are limited.
At 9.15pm, an act of tribute will take place at the church and villagers are invited to take part in the national celebrations by displaying bunting and placing a light in their window at 9.30pm.