VE Day 80 being marked in Hull and East Yorkshire

An armed forces veteran hopes Beverley will be turned "red, white and blue" with Union flags to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

An event led by the town council will be staged in in Coronation Gardens from 18:00 BST, with the VE Day 80 Proclamation followed by a prayer and words of thanksgiving.

David Boynton, the mayor of Beverley, said it was important to "pay our respects to those who gave so much" and "give thanks for the freedom and liberty we have in this country today".

Michael Menzies-Baird, from SSAFA, the armed forces charity, is encouraging shops and businesses to fly the flag.

Volunteers raising funds for the armed forces charity SSAFA

The former bomb disposal engineer hopes the event will help raise awareness of veterans with mental health issues.

"PTSD and suicide are massive problems for veterans, particularly the younger ones. They need a lot of counselling and charities like SSAFA are the first point of contact," he said.

Five years ago, due to the pandemic, events planned to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day were cancelled. Mr Menzies-Baird said he hoped this year people would show "how proud we are of our country".

As part of the celebrations, at 18:30 BST bells will ring from St Mary's Church and Beverley Minster. People are invited to enjoy picnics as choirs and bands perform in the garden.

The ceremony will be repeated at 21:30 BST – the time much of the nation will be marking the event.

Hull events

Events in Hull will include a memorial service at the Cenotaph, Paragon Square, at 11:00 BST on Thursday.

Several buildings in the city centre will be illuminated in the evening between 6 and 8 May as part of the programme.

Street parties are also planned at charity Hull 4 Heroes in Princes Quay from 11:00 BST and at Bransholme Chat shop.

Cottingham dance

Events in Cottingham will include an afternoon filled with 1940s music, singalongs, a lindy hop dance and cream teas at Cottingham Civic Hall.

Evening events will include music from the Riverside Brass Ensemble and a glass of complimentary Pimm's at St Mary's Church. Programmes and tickets are available from the parish council.

"We are proud to come together as a community to honour the courage and sacrifices of those who fought for our freedom," event organisers said.

Hornsea poppies

Street signs and benches in Hornsea will be adorned with knitted and crocheted poppies to mark VE Day.

Volunteers have already created more than 300 poppies and residents are being asked to lay a poppy outside their front door.

A market stall will be held in Hall Garth Park and the beacon on the seafront will be lit at 21:30 BST on Thursday.

Swanland remembers

A service of remembrance will be held at the war memorial outside Christ Church in Swanland at 11:00 BST.

World War Two photographs and memorabilia will be displayed at the village hall until 14:00 BST.

Hessle Foreshore

An evening of live entertainment and reflection will be held at Hessle Foreshore. At 21:30 BST the beacon will be lit as a mark of remembrance.

Bridlington bunting

A military charity in Bridlington is encouraging people to hang out bunting as part of VE Day celebrations.

Military Assistance Social Hub (Mash) is organising a community event at Bridlington Club for Young People from 13:00 BST.

Woodmansey beacon

A beacon-lighting celebration will be held at Woodmansey Village Hall on Thursday.

The evening will include a number of presentations and military exhibits. There will be a musical performance by vocalist Ruth Getz, while Beverley Church Lads Brigade will stage a big band celebration of music from the 1940s.

Themed costumes are encouraged. The event starts at 19:30 BST and will culminate with the lighting of the beacon at 21:30 BST.

Goole events

A service of celebration and remembrance will take place at the cenotaph at the Memorial Gardens in Goole at 10:45 BST.

Schoolchildren and members of the armed forces will be attending the event to "remember all those who paid the ultimate sacrifice to achieve a lasting peace", said Goole Town Council.

A lamp of peace will be lit at a service of reflection at St John's Church on 8 May at 21:30 BST. Singing will be led by the Warblers Choirs.

A VE Day Garden Party is taking place at the Riverside Gardens on 11 May from 12:00 BST. There will be live performances from the Goole and East Riding Concert Band and Swing Jamboree.

Hedon beacon

VE Day events start at 17:30 BST at St Augustine's Church in Hedon on Thursday.

There will be stalls, entertainment from the 1940s, music, memorabilia and displays. A beacon will be lit on Market Hill at 21:30 BST.

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Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.