VE Day celebrations get underway at the National Memorial Arboretum

On Friday 2 May, over 500 school children from across the midlands treated residents of Galanos House – a Royal British Legion care home – to VE Day inspired performances at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. This marked the start of the 150-acre site’s extended weekend of celebrations to mark eight decades since the end of the Second World War in Europe.

Throughout the bank holiday weekend, the Arboretum hosted a free celebratory event, featuring a wide range of family activities. Inspired by the spirit of the nationwide street parties that marked VE Day in 1945, the weekend was part of the Arboretum’s ‘The Year was 1945…’ programme commemorating the end of the Second World War in Europe and then the Far East.

Live music, vintage dance workshops and storytelling performances were on offer from Saturday through Monday, with families taking part in hands-on activities from instrument-making to traditional games. Visitors also enjoyed 1945-inspired food in the Arboretum’s Restaurant and Coffee Shop, with highlights including build-your-own afternoon tea and classic fish and chips.

Friday’s performances were the product of an 8-week engagement programme led by the Arboretum’s Learning and Participation team and Bostin’ Creative. They included a creative adaptation of Churchill’s speech announcing the surrender of Nazi Germany, a piece telling the story of how the future Queen Elizabeth II was permitted to sneak out of the palace and celebrate the occasion, and a thoughtful composition remembering those that never returned from conflict.

“It’s been a fantastic start to our VE Day 80 celebrations – the atmosphere has been full of joy, reflection and community spirit, reminiscent of the wave of jubilation that would have engulfed the country in 1945,” said Rachel Smith, Head of Learning and Participation at the National Memorial Arboretum.

“The festivities will continue throughout the bank holiday weekend, offering more opportunities for people to join us as we celebrate this important anniversary, ahead of Thursday when we will be hosting RBL’s VE Day Tea Party and Commemorative Service.”

For more information about the wide range of activities taking place for VE Day, click here.