Spalding Royal Naval Association veterans attend flag-raising ceremony at South Holland District Council to honour 80th anniversary of VE Day

A flag-raising ceremony has marked the 80th anniversary of VE Day (Victory in Europe).

The event was held earlier today (Thursday) outside South Holland District Council offices in Spalding to commemorate the end of the Second World War in Europe.

It was attended by 13 veterans from Spalding Royal Naval Association, councillors and other dignitaries.

Richard Brown, who has served in Iraq and Afghanistan, is the chairman of Spalding Royal Naval Association. He said: “We are honoured to be asked by the chairman of the district council to be here today.

“It is very important to celebrate all war veterans and VE Day, as this is the last major anniversary when we still have the number of veterans we do.

“The next big milestone will be the 90th anniversary and a lot of the veterans are in their 90s or 100-years-old and there might not be as many people around to celebrate it.

“The effects of war are devastating and modern day war is disheartening – it’s a shame to see conflict on the scale we do.

“Peace can be acclaimed quickly without the loss of life and we need to honour and remember all of the veterans, and also teach younger generations that war and conflict is never the answer.”

The flag raising ceremony included a speech led by South Holland District chairman, Coun Andrew Woolf, who shared some of the powerful words said by Prime Minister Winston Churchill on VE Day in 1945.

Jeff Woods, aka ‘Pavanotti’ sang the English National anthem with veterans and all visitors enjoyed a cup of tea and biscuits afterwards.

Coun Woolf said: “I am honoured to be the chairman whilst we celebrate VE Day. It’s an important milestone for our area and the nation and we need to strive for peace – war is dreadful.

“If peace can be brought to the world it would be a better place.”

Leader of the district council Nick Worth also attended the ceremony. He said: “It is important the younger generation will always remember those who served in the war and it has been wonderful to see Spalding Royal Naval Association and all of the veterans here today.”

In order to commemorate the anniversary, there will be events taking place across the district later today and at the weekend:

*Moulton – Lantern parade and lighting of the beacon, today (Thursday, May 8) at 7.30pm.

*Holbeach Parish Council - Carters Park, today (Thursday, May 8) from 5pm to 10pm. Lighting of the Beacon and lamps of peace along with music, cake stall, hot food etc.

* Holbeach Beacon lighting, on land between Wignal’s Gate and Spalding Road, today (Thursday, May 8), from 8pm

*Holbeach - WI Hall, Park Road – today (Thursday, May 8) 10am to 1pm. Tickets £10, games, music, street party and buffet.

*Tydd St Mary Playing Field – today (Thursday, May 8) 3pm to 11pm. Flag raising and ringing of the bells.

*Crowland Parish Council - Snowden Field, Saturday, May 10, 2pm to 10pm. Enjoy live music, dancing, tea, cakes, kids activities and games.

*Fleet- Lawns and Lakes Caravan and Camping site, Saturday, May 10, 7.30pm. There will be live music, supper included, £10 a ticket.