Remembering The End Of The Second World War

The 80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day: 8 May 2025

To honour the service and sacrifice of those who fought in the Second World War, as well as those who supported them from home, on Thursday 8 May 2025, we raised the unique VE Day 80 flag at 9am outside the Town Hall.

At 9.30am Biddulph’s Town Crier, Mr John Robinson delivered a VE Day 80 Proclamation.

At 11am we held a service and laid wreaths at the Cenotaph on the High Street.

At 9.30pm we lit our Lamp of Peace, symbolising the light of hope that emerged from the darkness of war.

Here’s the Mayor’s VE Day 80th Anniversary Tribute:

‘Ladies and gentlemen, friends and neighbours

Today, we gather in both remembrance and celebration to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day – a moment in history that brought hope, peace, and the promise of a better future to a war-weary world.

Eighty years ago, on the 8th of May 1945, the guns across Europe finally fell silent. After long years of conflict, sacrifice, and hardship, the Allied nations declared victory over tyranny and oppression. In homes and on streets across Britain, people rejoiced – but they also remembered. They remembered those who never returned. They embraced peace while mourning its cost.

Here in Biddulph, we are proud of our town’s contributions during those difficult years. Our families sent sons and daughters to serve, to heal, to build, and to protect. Our community bore the weight of rationing and loss – and yet through it all, Biddulph endured with resilience and unity.

As we stand here today, 80 years on, we honour the courage of that greatest generation – the soldiers who fought on land, sea and air; the civilians who kept the home front strong; the women who filled factories and fields; the children who grew up too fast.

Let us also honour the lessons of the past: that freedom is never free, and that peace must be nurtured with justice, understanding, and unity.

This anniversary is not only a tribute to history – it is a call to remember who we are when we come together: strong, compassionate, and hopeful. May we carry forward the torch of remembrance, not only in ceremony, but in how we live, serve, and care for one another every day.

To those who gave so much, we say thank you. We remember you. We honour you.

And on this VE Day, let us not only look back with pride – but forward with purpose.

Thank you.’

And some photos of the day:

Biddulph's Town Crier, John Robinson, reads his proclamation with Biddulph's Mayor, Councillor Nigel Yates, the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Adrian Lawton, Councillor Jim Garvey and Mrs Elaine Rice

A photo taken at the Cenotaph on the High Street, of the Town Mayor, the Town Crier, Elaine Rice and John Leason from the Royal British Legion and Rev Yan Yan Case from Biddulph Methodist Church

The Mayor, Councillor Nigel Yates, lighting the lamp of peace

The Town Crier, Mayor and Mrs Elaine Rice with the lit lamp of peace

Biddulph Remembers – VE Day Celebration Concert: 10 May 2025

We received grant funding from Staffordshire Moorlands District Council to host a VE Day 80 Concert with performances from Rode Hall Silver Band, Biddulph Male Voice Choir and Kingsfield Singers on Saturday 10 May 2025 at 7pm.

The grant funding also contributed to new bunting for the town.

The 80th Anniversary of Victory over Japan (VJ) Day: 15 August 2025

Whilst VE Day marked the end of the war in Europe, many thousands of Armed Forces personnel were still involved in fighting in the Far East. Victory over Japan Day (VJ Day) marks the day Japan surrendered on the 15 August 1945, which in effect ended the Second World War.

We held a service at the cenotaph on the High Street, followed by an act of remembrance at 10.45am at the War Memorial in St Lawrence’s churchyard, with a proclamation by Biddulph’s Town Crier, Mr John Robinson.

This was followed by a service of reflection in St Lawrences Parish Church and a fish and chips lunch in the school room.

You can watch the service using this link: https://www.youtube.com/live/TNJUKsQJu1I?si=4yqQUs85j0JTH4aE

Fish and chips weren’t rationed by Prime Minister Churchill during the whole of World War II; we wanted to use this occasion to pay tribute to the brave fishermen who fished the seas and the farmers and land girls who toiled in the fields.

Here’s some photos of the day:

The Town Crier, the Mayor, Councillor Adrian Lawton, and Mrs Elaine Rice and Mr John Leason from the Royal British Legion at the Cenotaph in the High Street

The Town Crier, Mr John Leason and Mrs Elaine Rice from the Royal British Legion, the Mayor, Councillor Adrian Lawton and Rev Will Drain on the steps of St Lawrences Parish Church

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us to commemorate and honor those who served and sacrificed during World War II – your presence helped make our celebrations truly special – from moments of reflection to shared stories and community spirit.

Together, we remembered. Together, we paid tribute.