Beacon lightings, remembrance services and singalongs will mark VE Day in the Black Country and surrounding areas on Thursday

A number of events will be held across the region to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe.

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VE Day will be celebrated across the country today (Thursday) in the form of beacon lightings, tea parties, and sing-alongs.

PICTURE FROM THE ARCHIVE: Children celebrating following Victory in Europe Day in May 1945. This image was taken in Gordon Street, Wolverhampton, with locals out on the street despite a rain shower. Like many streets across the Black Country, patriotic bunting was stretched between houses.

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 this year, being 80 years since the end of the war in Europe.

Across the West Midlands, people are invited to events and services of remembrance to mark the anniversary.

PICTURE FROM THE ARCHIVE: VE Day celebrations held in Jackfield, on May 8, 1945. This is an image that was owned by Jackfield historian Ron Miles. Ron helped set up the tables for this street party at Lloyds Head, with patriotic musical entertainment provided by members of the Jackfield Band. — VE Day celebrations held in Jackfield, Telford, on May 8, 1945. This is an image that was owned by Jackfield historian Ron Miles. Ron helped set up the tables for this street party at Lloyds Head, with patriotic musical entertainment provided by members of the Jackfield Band.

Here are some of the council-run and Royal British Legion-organised events, though communities will also be holding their own street parties and local celebrations too.

Wolverhampton

Royal British Legion, Wolverhampton Central service

Where: St Peter's Square, Wolverhampton W6 9AB

The Wolverhampton Central Branch of the Royal British Legion will be holding a service of remembrance at the Cenotaph, St Peter’s Square in the morning. All are welcome to attend the service which will begin at 10.50am.

Oakland road, Bloxwich VE Day street party. Pictured centre is organiser Stacey Sargent.

Coffee morning singalong

Where: Wolverhampton Central Library, Snow Hill, Wolverhampton WV1 3AX

Central Library will he holding a coffee morning from 10.30am. Staff will dress in red, white, and blue, and there will be a green screen and sing-along with school children.

Sandwell

Sandwell Parade and service

Where: Sandwell Council House, Freeth Street, Oldbury, B69 3DB

Sandwell’s main civic service will take place with a small parade, followed by a service in Oldbury Civic Square. Light refreshments will be served after the service.

The parade will begin at 10.45am with the whole event lasting until around 12pm.

Staffordshire

National Memorial Arboretum service

Where: Croxall Road, Alrewas, Staffordshire

The RBL will be hosting a tea party at the arboretum on Thursday. A live programme of music from the 1940s era will be performed from 10am in Heroes' Square as Second World War-era costumed performers will get guests into the tea party spirit. There will also be performances from visitor favourites the Heath Belles and D-Day Darlings in Heroes’ Square.

The RBL Commemorative Service comes later and is open to the public. Hosted by Baroness Floella Benjamin, it will commence at 4pm on the Naval Review. The service will feature moving performances from singers Russell Watson, Carly Paoli and Anthonia Edwards, winner of The Voice UK, and the British Army Band, Tidworth.

The Arboretum will be open to the public as normal on Thursday, and everyone is welcome. Seating for members of the public will be made available on a first come first served basis in the service area, the service will also be streamed into Heroes' Square.

Lichfield VE Day party

Where: Market Street, Lichfield WS13 6LH

Lichfield City Council is hosting a VE Day event on Market Street 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.

Kidderminster

WFDC VE Day service

Where: Finepoint Way, Wyre Forest House, Kidderminster DY11 7WF

A special flag flying and proclamations ceremony in honour of VE Day will be taking place at Wyre Forest District Council’s headquarters on May 8.

Members of the public are invited to attend the event, which will take place outside Wyre Forest House in Kidderminster and will start with a formal welcome from Chairman of Wyre Forest District Council, Councillor John Byng, at 9.45am.

Refreshments will be available after the event in Wyre Forest House reception.

Bewdley

Where: Outside St Anne's Church, Load Street, Bewdley from 8.45pm to 9.30pm

Join Bewdley Town Council for a VE80 Day ceremony. There will be a short outdoor service concluding with a beacon lighting.

Organised by Bewdley Town Council and supported by Wyre Forest District Council.

Walsall

Where: Leicester St, Walsall WS1 1PT

A flag raising ceremony outside the Council House in Walsall takes place at 9am on Thursday, May 8. It will be hosted by the Mayor of Walsall and attendees will include Group Captain Ian Sargeant OBE KHS DL, Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands.

Libraries will be marking the anniversary too with VE-Day related events and activities in the seven libraries in the borough including Aldridge, Bloxwich, Brownhills, Darlaston, Streetly, Willenhall and the Lichfield Street Hub in Walsall town centre.

Dudley

VE Day Coffee morning

Where: Dudley Library, St James's Rd, Dudley DY1 1HR

A coffee morning takes place on May 8 from 10am to midday at the library, where a member of Dudley’s Healthy Ageing Team will also be on hand to give information about their services to anyone who wants it.

Cannock

Hednesford community event

Where: Anglesey Gardens, Market Street, Hednesford

Hednesford Town Council and Staffordshire Regimental Association Hednesford Branch have organised a community event to run from 1.30pm - 5pm in Anglesey Gardens and Market Street. It will include entertainment, free refreshments, and a commemorative service.

Flag raising ceremony

Where: Civic Centre, 28 Beecroft Rd, Cannock WS11 1BG

Cannock Chase Council will be hosting a flag raising ceremony at 9am outside the Civic Centre to mark the start of the commemorations, followed by a service in Cannock Town Centre at the Cenotaph at 10am. The service will be led by Reverend Steve Reynolds from St. Luke’s Church.

Evening VE day event and beacon lighting

Where: Norton Canes Community Centre, Brownhills Rd, Norton Canes, Cannock WS11 9SF

Norton Canes Parish Council will be organising a community event at Norton Canes Community Centre, 7pm - 9.40pm which will include music, entertainment, refreshments, and a beacon lighting at 9:30pm.

RBL Rugeley beacon lighting

Where: Anson Street, Rugeley, Cannock Chase, WS15 2BB

At 7.30pm the public will arrive at the Cenotpah where there will be a live singer. The last post will be sounded followed by a two minutes silence and exhortation. There will then be a beacon lighting, national anthem, and laying of wreaths.