Community events and street parties as West Midlands comes together to mark VE Day anniversary

The annual celebration of VE Day on May 8, the day that Nazi Germany surrendered to the allied forces in 1945, carries an extra meaning, being 80 years since the end of the war in Europe.

Across the West Midlands, communities are being encouraged to mark the occasion with street parties and other events, while councils have been putting together their own plans to mark the anniversary.

Stafford

In Stafford, residents and organisations have taken advantage of fees being waived by Stafford Council to close roads for street parties marking Victory in Europe and Victory over Japan.

A VE Day themed children’s workshop is taking place at the Ancient High House in Stafford town centre, with the venue also holding an exhibition on the lives of local men telling their stories through medals and historical artefacts. 

Izaak Walton Cottage will be holding a traditional afternoon tea set against the backdrop of wartime music on Sunday and Stafford Castle will be lit up red, white and blue on the evening of VE Day. 

Victoria Park will be the venue for an afternoon of live music, displays and entertainment on Saturday, May 10, while a service is planned for Saturday, June 21 at St Mary’s Church in the centre of the county town to mark VE and VJ Days and pay tribute to those who gave their lives and made sacrifices in World War 2.

Stafford Council Chief Executive, Tim Clegg, said: “We know how much our residents respect and appreciate the sacrifices made, both at home and abroad, to protect the freedoms that we enjoy today.

“It is great to see communities paying their own tributes - and I’m pleased we were able to help remove some of the costs and administration to enable commemorations with family, friends and neighbours to go ahead safely.”

Sandwell

In Sandwell, the 80th anniversary of VE Day is set to be celebrated with a civic service, a Fabulous 40s event and street parties to honour the Second World War generation.

Sandwell Council has organised events to remember the end of the Second World War in Europe and pay tribute to the bravery and sacrifices of all those who served.

The main civic event will take place on VE Day 80 next Thursday  outside Sandwell Council House in Oldbury Civic Square. 

Starting with a live brass band from 10.30am, followed by a small parade at 10.45am, the event will then have a service from 11am to 12pm led by Rev. Dwayne McQuaid, with support from Royal British Legions. 

The event is free to attend and everyone is invited, with a temporary road closure in place in Freeth Street for this event.

Before the main civic event, 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, with live music, costume characters, vintage vehicles, a 1940s medical station, ‘make do and mend’ activities, and much more. 

The free event, run by the council’s museums service, will run from 12pmto 4pm. 

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-19 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.

“We also wish everyone holding street parties and street meets a wonderful time celebrating with their families, friends and neighbours.”

Lichfield

Lichfield City Council is hosting a VE Day event on Market Square on May 8, with music from the era, a pop-up café, traditional fish and chips and ice cream on offer and people also invited to bring their own picnics and enjoy the entertainment from 1pm to 4pm.

The day will also feature a craft fayre on Minster Pool Walk from 10am to 4pm, while a photo exhibition with images from the period will be on display at the same time in Lichfield Guildhall.

There will also be information about the Lichfield Spitfire aircraft which was funded through subscriptions from the city’s residents. 

It served during the Second World War before being shot down over Calais on February 3 1943.

Staffordshire

Elsewhere in Staffordshire, there will be a special weekend of celebrations at the National Memorial Arboretum, taking inspiration from the street parties of 1945, with other activities include local services, a pop-up event at the Staffordshire History Centre and activities in local libraries.

Visitors to Perton library on Saturday, May 10 can see a flypast of Lancaster B1 PA474.  

The bomber, part of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, is one of the only two remaining airworthy Lancaster Bombers out of the 7,377 that were built and the flypast is due around 1.30pm.