Community commemoration for Beverley
Beverley Town Council is planning a community event in Coronation Gardens, on Thursday, May 8.
The commemoration will start at 6pm with the VE Day 80 Proclamation, followed by a prayer and words of thanksgiving. The beacon (purchased for the Queen’s Jubilee) will then be lit and the public asked to turn on keepsake electronic tealights – given out at the gardens to represent the lamplights of peace – and the official VE Day Words of Celebration will be recited.
This will be followed by the singing of “I Vow to Thee, My Country”, accompanied by a local band or choir. A programme will be distributed so those gathered have access to the lyrics.
Although the above is happening nationally at 9.30pm, the town council wants the event to be accessible to all and family-friendly, so it will hold this at 6pm, but then repeat the whole ceremony again at 9.30pm alongside the rest of the nation.
At 6.30pm, there will be a national church bell ring – both St Mary’s Church and Beverley Minster plan to take part.
Members of the public, families and friends are encouraged to bring a picnic to Coronation Gardens and enjoy the May evening in good company and community spirit.
Between 7pm and 9.30pm there will be performances from:
- Beverley Church Lads and Girls Brigade
- Beverley Male Voice Choir
- Beverley Garland Dancers
- Beverley and District Pipe Band
- She Productions
VE Day 80 commemorative flags will be given to local churches to fly and the town council will also be displaying union flags throughout the town centre from early May to late August to encompass both VE and VJ Days.
