Beacon lit to mark 80th anniversary of VE Day

A beacon lighting ceremony was held in Stourport-on-Severn that was attended by up to 150 people.

A beacon-lighting ceremony has taken place at the end of a day of events in Herefordshire and Worcestershire to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day.

About 150 people attended the ceremony at the war memorial in Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire, with a lamp of peace being lit.

In Hereford, events have taken place from St Peter's Square to the city centre, to commemorate 8 May 1945, the day that marked the end of World War Two in Europe.

People who lived through VE Day, including their family members, have attended events to mark the occasion and share their memories.

During the beacon lighting ceremony, the crowd also enjoyed a performance by 1940s-themed singers, food and drink stalls, and a display of vintage army vehicles and speeches, before the beacon was lit.

"It was a lovely event to be a part of - it's so important we never forget the sacrifices people made in the Second World War," said Mayor of Stourport John Thomas.

Joyce Nicolls is remembering her parents and grandparents

Eearlier in the day in Hereford, the town crier read proclamations before a two-minute silence was held.

Joyce Nicolls, who attended a ceremony in the city centre, said she would be remembering her parents and grandparents, who served in the Navy and Army.

"I think it's important for the youngsters to know what people went through in those years, because it wasn't bad for us growing up as we had people to teach us," she said.

"When they get to our age there will be nobody alive to tell those stories."

The city gathered to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe

Mayor Kevin Tillett said it was his duty and the duty of generations beyond him to keep wartime stories alive.

"This is the last big anniversary when we'll still have people around who remember the war, who either took part in the war or lived through the war.

"My father and his brothers fought in the war and my grandparents lived through the Blitz in the East End."

Elise Shuker, from Hereford Cathedral School, attended the city centre event to lay a wreath in memory of those who served.

"If we don't remember it, then it's going to get lost, and we need to celebrate what they did for us and the peace campaign," she said.

Stephen Cole was a baby when peace was declared in Europe on 8 May 1945 and says, despite not having any memory of the ensuing celebrations, he knows how important the day is.

"If it wasn't for those that lost their lives, we wouldn't be here today," he said.

One VE Day anniversary event was held in Stourport

Events in Stourport to mark the anniversary began with a proclamation for peace being read at the War Memorial Gardens on Vale Road.

A talk on the area's contribution to VE Day and its role in World War Two was held in a community centre and people have also seen re-enactments using vintage and military vehicles.

George Baylis joined commemorations in Stourport and remembered his father, Alfred, who was in the RAF

Town Centre shops were able to enter a VE Day window display competition.

A fancy dress competition also brought some 1940s nostalgia to events in the War Memorial Park.

Dave Benson collects war memorabilia, including a World War Two motorcycle