Stourport VE80 Day Celebration - Thursday 8 May 2025 - 'A shared moment of celebration'.
Stourport-on-Severn will be uniting with the nation to celebrate 80 years of peace since the end of World War II in Europe. VE Day 80 is not only a tribute to those who fought for freedom but also a powerful reminder of the resilience and unity that have defined our country ever since.
What’s happening on Thursday 8th May 2025 to mark VE-Day 80 in Stourport-on-Severn?
The town’s celebrations to mark the 80th Anniversary of VE-Day start at 9.00am with our Town Cryer reading a proclamation for peace at the War Memorial Gardens on Vale Road. As the proclamation is read out the Town Mayor will raise the "Flag of Peace", both of which will be live streamed on our Facebook page.
From 3.30pm until 9.15pm:
Our entertainment will start with DJ Stretch, who will be joined in the lead up to the Beacon Lighting Ceremony by The Swingettes and more.
Eat Street Repeat will be bringing a food court to the War Memorial Park (on Lickhill Road) and we are delighted to have joining us:
4.00pm to 4.45pm:
Join local historian and expert Geoff Shaw, in Stourport Community Centre, for a FREE talk on Stourport’s contribution to VE-Day and it’s role in the Second World War. There will also be artefacts, re-enactors, vintage and military vehicles on hand to make history come alive.
6.30pm to 8.30pm:
The Bell Ringers of the Parish Church of St Bartholomew (Areley Kings) will be joining: Together We Chime—Let the Nation’s Bells Ring Loud! We hope to be able to broadcast part of this to those gathered at the War Memorial Park.
9.15pm to 9.30pm:
The Beacon Lighting Ceremony will commence with a welcome by Rev. Carey Saleh and culminating with the Stourport Carnival Queen lighting the Lamp of Peace and the beacon lighting at 9.30pm.
We will also be holding a fancy dress competition to bring a bit of vintage 1940s nostalgia to the VE-Day Celebrations, so please do dress-up in your 1940s outfits or find out your favourite red, white and blue outfit.
Car Parking for the event
Please can we kindly ask for your assistance in being respectful of the local residents of the area. Parking is available on the Riverside Meadows, less than a 15 minute walk away: Car parks in Stourport-on-Severn.
Remember if you are a member of the Severn’s Club, or a customer, you might want to consider using their car park. (Please note that parking charges may apply.)
📣 Are you a World War Two re-enactor?
📣 Do you own a vintage vehicle?
📣 Are you local to Stourport-on-Severn?
On Thursday 8th May Stourport will be celebrating the eightieth anniversary of victory in Europe. We would love to hear from any re-enactors, or owners of vintage vehicles, who would like to join our VE Day 80 celebrations.
If this is you, please email: enquiries@stourporttowncouncil.gov.uk
Shop Windows Display
The Mayor of Stourport, Councillor John Thomas, will be inviting all town centre shops and businesses to join our Best Dressed “A Shared Moment of Celebration” Window Display competition, to reflect VE DAY 80 and Stourport-on-Severn. Judging of the windows will be done via a resident’s vote on the Facebook group We Love Stourport Past and Present.
To enter, businesses simply need to email a photograph of their completed window to enquiries@stourporttowncouncil.gov.uk by noon on Friday 25th April. Voting will go live on Saturday 26th April and close on Wednesday 7th May. We want to encourage residents into town to look at the decorated windows before voting.
Colouring competition
Our Mayor would also like all local primary school aged children to enter a colouring competition, as part of the town’s VE-Day Celebrations.
There are three different colouring in sheets for children to choose from and the Civic Hall have very kindly offered the use of some of their window space for us to display the entries on.
Colouring sheets can be downloaded or are available from the library and have been emailed to all local primary schools.
The closing date is Friday 2nd May and should be delivered to our office at the Civic Centre.
