Residents invited to cheer VE-80 with street parties

GOSPORT RESIDENTS have been invited to host street parties in their areas to help celebrate the upcoming eightieth anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day on May 8 (Thursday); which will allow people to mark the historical events of 1945 that saw Germany sign the act of military surrender and concluded World War 2 within the continent after 6 years.

Communities have been urged to come together to honour the occasion and offer respects later this spring, particularly as the seventy-fifth anniversary was severely limited due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Potential ideas include the hosting of street parties, church services, beacon lightings, singing, and dancing performances to replicate the scenes of 1945.

Street parties have been held in recent years to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II during June 2022, along with the Coronation of King Charles III eleven months later; all proving popular for residents, and communities. A party along Selsey Avenue in Gosport was videoed and seen by 500,000 people; bringing local celebrations to the fore.

Councillors are hopeful for a similar atmosphere as they recently opened applications for street parties across the town and are expecting ‘hundreds of responses’ for events from May 3 – May 11. A three page form is available to download / complete online and may be completed by April 4 (Friday) to allow 4 weeks for approval before the dates listed above.

Residents are requested to read guidance issued by central government before they complete their applications; which should be submitted by phoning the licence team on 01329 824399 or emailing licensingofficers@fareham.gov.uk. The council will only permit road closures where listed criteria is met whilst further details on tasks and small grants is here.

All local events will join four days of Government-led celebrations starting on May 5 (Bank Holiday Monday), where the Cenotaph is due to be all dressed in Union Flags and a military procession will follow through Whitehall to Buckingham Palace. A flypast is expected to finish the day’s events and this public holiday is likely to see a majority of street parties.

Nearly 30,000 ceramic poppies will return to the Tower of London site on May 6 (Tuesday) using a new installation that is likely to reflect the sacrifices made in this war. Many historic landmarks across the UK will be lit up later in that same evening before the Parliament Choir will host a concert at the Westminster Hall (Palace of Westminster) late on May 7.

The last day of celebrations will see a service at Westminster Abbey that is due to be an act of remembrance, and also honour a generation that showed their extraordinary resilience. A concert at the Horseguards Parade is set to conclude events and see 10,000 members of the public attending; whilst beacons are due to be lit across this country at 9:30pm.

Readers can explore a designated website that shows community events across the country and are urged to add their own to the listing; whilst further information about national festivities / timings may be seen on the Government website.