Surrey Heath Borough Council will join the nation in commemorating the 80th anniversary of VE Day on Thursday, 8 May 2025.
A short ceremony will take place at Surrey Heath House in the morning starting at 8:45am, and residents are invited to observe a two-minute silence at 9am to honour the bravery, sacrifice, and resilience of those who secured peace in Europe 80 years ago.
The Mayor of Surrey Heath, Councillor Sarbie Kang said: “As we mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, a day of historic significance, we pay tribute to the courage and sacrifice of those who secured peace in Europe.
“We also recognise the enduring spirit of our nation and the community spirit that continues to define us.
“VE Day is a time to reflect on the sacrifices made in the name of peace, and to celebrate the strength and unity of our communities, then and now.
“A flag-raising ceremony will be held at the Surrey Heath House on 8 May, and we invite everyone to join us in remembrance and gratitude and honour this important anniversary with patriotic pride.
“We know that many VE Day events are also taking place across our borough, and we thank all those who are coming together to commemorate this special day.
“Together, we remember.”
Along with the Mayor, the VE Day 80 event is due to be attended by guests including the Leader of Surrey Heath Borough Council Cllr Shaun Macdonald, borough councillors, honorary aldermen, representatives of the local branches of the Royal British Legion, Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Surrey Police, community leaders and representatives from our partner organisations.
Camberley Theatre will also host two special events in honour of and to celebrate our Armed Forces. On 21 May, the Coldstream Guards Saxophone Quartet will give a free drop-in performance, followed by the acclaimed Royal Marines Collingwood in Concert on 13 June. Tickets are available by visiting camberleytheatre.co.uk
VE Day celebrations in Camberley town centre on Saturday 10 May will be attended by representatives of the Camberley branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL) and include a performance from the Sunshine Choir of Younger People with Dementia in The Square at 11am.
There will be a VE Day 80 festival with live music, stalls and food and drink from 12-6pm on Saturday 10 May at Lightwater Recreation Ground, while the Bagshot Concert Band will be performing a free concert to mark VE Day 80 at Windlesham Field of Remembrance from 2-4pm on Saturday 10 May.
A beacon will be lit at Bisley Parish Council’s VE Day 80 event at the War Memorial at the Village Green, Bisley on Thursday 8 May from 9pm.
The Camberley RBL base at Avery Camberley Heights care home will be open all day on Saturday 10 May for refreshments for members and guests, and will be showing short films of VE Day events in 1945.