A flag-raising ceremony was held by Surrey Heath Borough Council on Thursday 8 May to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
Along with the Mayor of Surrey Heath, Cllr Sarbie Kang, the VE Day 80 event at Surrey Heath House was attended by guests including the Leader of Surrey Heath Borough Council Cllr Shaun Macdonald, borough councillors, honorary aldermen, veterans, representatives of the local branches of the Royal British Legion (RBL), Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Surrey Police, community leaders and representatives from our partner organisations.
A two-minute silence was held at 9am to honour the bravery, sacrifice, and resilience of those who secured peace in Europe 80 years ago, and the VE Day 80 flag was raised. Following speeches by the Mayor and the Chairman of the RBL Camberley Branch Patrick Mathe, the Last Post was played along with the national anthem.
Cllr Kang said: “In marking 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.
“In a moving ceremony, we also recognised with patriotic pride 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.
"Let us not forget those who are still fighting for freedom today.
“We thank all those who attended - with a special mention for 101-year-old Beryl who worked as a decoder in Sri Lanka during the war. My thanks and best wishes also to those across the borough who are coming together for community events to commemorate this special day.
“Together, we remember.”
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.
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.
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.
Coinciding with VE Day 80, a new exhibition that considers ‘The local impact of World War II’ is underway at Surrey Heath Museum. It looks at daily life during wartime, air raid shelters, a soldier’s life, includes a map of where the bombs fell locally, and much more. The exhibition runs until 28 June 2025.
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 the Camberley Theatre website