The 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day is set to be celebrated in Sandwell next week 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 (8 May) 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 12noon led by Reverend Dwayne McQuaid, with support from Royal British Legions. The event is free to attend and everyone is invited. A temporary road closure will be 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 (5 May), with live music, costume characters, vintage vehicles, a 1940s medical station, ‘make do and mend’ activities, and much more.
This free event, run by the council’s museums service, will run from 12 noon to 4pm. No booking is required. Visitors can also explore the beautiful Victorian House which housed evacuees before they were sent to local homes during the Second World War.
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.
“We also wish everyone holding street parties and street meets a wonderful time celebrating with their families, friends and neighbours.”
Sandwell Council waived road closure fees to encourage communities across the borough to take part in VE Day 80 street parties. (Please note that applications for VE Day party road closures have now closed).
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.