80 years on Guildford remembers VE Day
80 years on Guildford remembers VE Day
The community beacon lighting for the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day was both a joyous celebration and a moment for reflection.
For the hundreds of people gathered in Stoke Park last night, marking this historic occasion was an experience to remember.
People waved Union flags and joined in with 1940s classic wartime hits and swing tunes beautifully sung by Emily Martine. As dusk fell, the crowd waved their lit phones to ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’ creating the first of several moving moments during the evening.
Welcoming those present, the new Deputy Mayor, Cllr Jane Tyson, recalled the events of 80 years ago and said: “This evening we will light a lamp as a symbol of peace, and ignite a beacon of hope. As we stand shoulder to shoulder let us remember all those who sacrificed their lives for the freedoms we have today and commit to moving forward in the light of that hope and peace.”
Col. (Retd) Patrick Crowley MA MBE DL, Dep. Colonel The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment responded on behalf of the regiment and our country’s armed forces.
A local veteran, Ian Chatfield, 5th Queens OMA, brought forward the lamplight of peace, as Michael Cochrane read the moving VE Day 80 tribute. Then the beacon was set ablaze to a rousing chorus of ‘I vow to thee my country’ led by the Vivace Chorus.
In closing, the Leader of the Council, Cllr Julia McShane asked that the crowd: “Please take a moment tomorrow to reflect on this evening’s commemoration, the words of the tribute and how we can all be grateful to a generation who sacrificed so much for our nation, democracy and peace.”
Earlier in the day, there was a special VE Day 80 flag-raising ceremony held at the Guildhall. Speaking afterwards, the new Mayor of Guildford, Cllr Howard Smith said: “I will never forget that my first official engagement as Mayor of Guildford was to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day. My father served in WW2 in the RAF and I’m sure he would be very proud. To say that I feel honoured to have welcomed local veterans, serving soldiers, cadets, and other invited guests to the Guildhall to raise the VE Day 80 flag is an understatement!”
Notes to Editor
VE Day 80 Tribute
Let us remember those who gave their lives at home and abroad, whose sacrifice enables us to all enjoy the peace we have today.
Let us remember those who came home, wounded, physically and mentally, and the friends and family who cared for them.
Let us remember those who returned to restore their relationships and rebuild their working and family lives after years of conflict and turmoil.
Let us remember the families that lost husbands, wives, sons, daughters and sweetheart
Let us remember the servicemen and women of other nationalities and faiths from Commonwealth and allied countries who fought, suffered and died during six years of war.
Let us remember those in reserved occupations and the brave people who kept us safe on the home front:
- the doctors, nurses who cared for the wounded,
- the men and women who toiled in the fields,
- the fisherman who fished the seas,
- those who worked in the factories and the air-raid wardens,
- the police officers, firemen, ambulance drivers and the young people of the Scouts and Guides who played such a vital role in the war effort at home too.
Photos supplied:
Flag raising at Guildhall
Balcony party on Guildhall balcony with VE Day 80 flag flying
Balcony party watch crowds below at VE Day 80 flag raising
VE Day 80 community beacon lighting event
Deputy Mayor of Guildford, Cllr Jane Tyson, veteran, Ian Chatfield, 5th Queens OMA, holding lamplight of peace and Col. (Retd) Patrick Crowley MA MBE DL, Dep. Colonel The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment
Moving moment as crowd wave lighted phones while performer, Emily Martine, sings ‘One day over the rainbow’.
Veteran, Ian Chatfield, 5th Queens OMA, holding lamplight of peace and standing in front of lit beacon.
Press contact: Beverley Stonehouse – e-mail Beverley.Stonehouse@guildford.gov.uk