Summary

  • Celebrations have taken place across the region to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day

  • Prime Minister Winston Churchill announced on this day in 1945 that the war in Europe had come to an end, following Germany's surrender

  • Events have included street parties, flypasts and memorials

  • A family have shared their father's wartime memories as he recorded his experiences on audio tape

  • Lincolnshire veteran, 'Monty' Major, 102, recalls baking bread for Churchill

Live Reporting

Edited by Jen Bateman , written by Richard Madden, David McKenna and Stuart Harratt

  1. Thanks for joining us for our VE Day commemoration

    A Lancaster bomber flies over Lincoln Cathedral during the 80th anniversary of the Dambusters raid in 2023PA

    That's the end of our live coverage of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two in Europe.

    Many veterans of the conflict took part in events across East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire alongside schoolchildren.

    A two-minute silence was observed across the UK at midday.

    Later on BBC1 and BBC iPlayer you can watch a VE Day concert from Horse Guards Parade in London, presented by Zoe Ball.A Celebration to Remember

    We leave you with the sound of the bells of Lincoln Cathedral ringing out in commemoration.

    The bells mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two in Europe.

  2. 'It means more than just about anything else'

    Shot of Jim Hardisty wearing a dark-coloured jacket and striped tie. There are people dancing in the background.James Hoggarth/BBC

    Radio Humberside's James Hoggarth was behind the scenes as the Radio 2 Vernon Kay show came live from Beverley.

    He spoke to local veteran Jim Hardisty, 101, about VE Day and what he remembered from the time.

    "It fills you up a bit," he said.

    "It was five years of your life, but it means more than just about anything else in your life," he said.

    "There is song that we sung today [The White Cliffs of Dover by Vera Lynn] which has the line 'And Jimmy will go to sleep In his own little room again'.

    "What about all the other Jimmies who never got to go to bed again?" he added.

  3. 'We should never forget'

    Becki Bowden
    Reporting from Howden

    Barry Volans pictured with his wife Gillian. Both are waving small union flags and sitting at a tableBecki Bowden/BBC

    Barry Volans (pictured above with his wife Gillian), was born prematurely and came out of hospital on VE Day 80 years ago.

    “That’s the time I greeted the world as a baby. That’s why VE Day is a bit memorable, so to speak," he said.

    "It’s a day to remember, but we really should think about the significance in terms of the number of service people that did everything they could to save our country," he added.

    "We should never forget that.”

  4. Hull landmarks illuminated in VE Day tribute

    Buildings and landmarks in Hull city centre have been lit up to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

    Red light illuminates a statue of Queen Victoria which stands on top of a plinth in the city centre. The Hull City Hall, which is also lit up with red light, is visible in the background.

    Queen Victoria Square, which was a focal point for the celebrations in 1945, has been bathed in red light.

    The city hall, refurbished maritime museum, a statue of Queen Victoria and Whitefriargate were all illuminated along with other buildings in the city.

    An image Hull Maritime Museum taken from the Beverley Gate in Hull. The building is bathed in red light.
    The shopping street of Whitefriargate in Hull with the tops of each building lit up red as part of the VE Day 80 celebrations.

    Hull City Council said the buildings will be lit until the end of the VE Day celebrations later today.

  5. VE Day celebrations continue in Brigg

    Gemma Dawson
    BBC Look North

    People dressed in 1940s-style clothing dancing in Brigg.Gemma Dawson/BBC

    The party is getting under way in Brigg with swing dancers, music and a children’s parade.

    Locals tell me there was a party here in the Market Place 80 years ago today.

    Celebrations tonight are expected to continue for several hours before moving to Millennium Green for more music and the beacon lighting at 21:30 BST

  6. Artist's tribute to VE Day

    East Yorkshire artist Eleanor Tomlinson has painted a royal air force flypast and street party for VE Day.

    Her viral illustration of Queen Elizabeth II with Paddington was seen by thousands of people for the Jubilee in 2022.

    She spoke to Kofi Smiles on BBC Radio Humberside earlier.

  7. Hull singer Calum Scott to perform at VE Day concert

    Hull singer Calum Scott will perform at concert later to mark the finale to the nationwide VE Day events.

    Calum Scott leans against a railing and smiles into the camera. He is wearing a blue denim jacket. He has dark, curly hair and a dark beard.

    The event, being held at Horse Guards' Parade in London, will be presented by Zoe Ball and will feature music, storytelling and tributes to those who served during World War Two.

    Scott, 36, will perform a rendition of The White Cliffs of Dover. There will also be performances from Fleur East, The Darkness, renowned cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason and classical singer Sir Willard White.

    VE Day 80: A Celebration to Remember will be broadcast from 20:00 BST on BBC One and iPlayer.

    Callum Scott talks to BBC Radio Humberside's James Hoggarth about his performance at the palace

  8. Wartime diary says VE Day 'celebrated in true RAF style'

    Page from John Tock's diary showing the handwritten entry for VE DayBrian Tock

    Brian Tock from Scunthorpe sent a picture of his father's wartime diary from 1945.

    The entry for Tuesday 8 May reads " V Europe Day celebrated in true RAF style".

    John Tock was an armourer in 235 Squadron which was involved in submarine hunting.

    He was serving in Scotland when VE Day was announced.

  9. Veteran, 99, flew aid mission on VE Day

    Grace McGrory
    BBC Lincolnshire

    Jeff Brown wearing a dark suit jacket and a tie in the colours of the union flag.Grace McGrory/BBC

    Among the guests at the International Bomber Command Centre on VE Day was 99-year-old veteran Jeff Brown.

    He was part of Operation Manna, an aid mission to feed millions of people facing famine in the Netherlands in May 1945.

    Mr Brown, from Hyde, Greater Manchester, was a 19-year-old gunner on a Lancaster Bomber at the time of the operation.

    He was involved in five Operation Manna flights, with the final one departing on the morning on VE Day.

    "We were operating right up to the very end of the war," he said.

    During the war, he was based at RAF Fiskerton, in Lincolnshire.

    After the war, he was based at RAF Coningsby.

    Returning to Lincolnshire for today's events, he said: “People have been so friendly. I’m amazed at how interested people are in what we did in those days.”

    Read more about Mr Brown's story here.

  10. Take a tour of a vintage wartime bus used in Lincoln

    Take a tour of a wartime Leyland Titan bus with Steven Milner, chairman of the Lincolnshire Vintage Vehicle Society.

    Steven says the bus entered service in 1941 - so would have been in use at the time Victory in Europe was declared.

  11. Fan moved as Radio 2 in East Yorkshire for VE Day

    Simon Spark

    Vernon Kay interviewing Linda Green in Beverley.Simon Spark/BBC

    Earlier, Vernon Kay was in Beverley for a special show to mark VE Day.

    The location was chosen after Linda Green, who describes herself as a huge fan, invited the Radio 2 team after sharing her cancer journey with fellow listeners on Kay's show.

    "It was a huge support to me to knowing that I was helping other people by talking about my cancer journey, and I know in return it helped me as well," she said.

    The tea party show featured first-hand stories from 8 May 1945, plus live music from local singer/songwriter Calum Scott.

    The Radio 2 fan said it was very moving.

    Listen again: Vernon's VE Day Tea Party!

  12. Knitters out in force

    It looks like knitting enthusiasts across East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire have been busy and are definitely getting in the VE Day spirit.

    We've been sent a few pictures of your spectacular post box toppers that have been popping up around the region.

    A square, red post box with a knitted scene on top. Six knitted figures are holding hands and look like they are dancing in scenes reminiscent of 1945.Anna Morton

    This one in Boston Road South, Holbeach depicts the celebrations that would have been seen at the end of the war with service personnel dancing in the streets.

    A knitted post box topper featuring a large, red 80. It also has red, white and blue knitted bunting and a brown dog.Pete Carroll

    How cute is this post box topper on Tranby Avenue in Hessle? Complete with the union flags, bunting and a dog.

    A large red, white and blue knitted post box topper recreating a union flag design in small poppies. It also features the word VE 80 in the centre.

    And this topper has been impressing shoppers in Newland Avenue, Hull featuring carefully crafted knitted poppies in a variety of colours.

    If you spot more post box toppers or any other amazing knitted creations you can email us here.

  13. Street party brings people together

    Earlier this week, people gathered in East Park, on Holderness Road, in Hull, to celebrate VE Day.

    Two women dressed in vintage floral dresses and white cardigans stood with parasols beside a VE Day 80th anniversary banner. They stand in front of a bandstand at a lively outdoor celebration, with fairground rides and Union Jack bunting in the background.Sally Fairfax/ BBC

    The free community event featured themed tableware and entertainment, as well as face painting, balloon modelling and support from members of Hull KR.

    Organiser Helen Thackeray said: "Being able to come together in an open and friendly situation and to be able to talk honestly about what went on in the past is brilliant for everybody."

  14. Primary school students and staff mark VE Day

    Jennifer Hughes
    BBC Radio Lincolnshire

    Pupils from wearing military uniforms and civilian clothing Huttoft Primary School

    Pupils and staff at Huttoft Primary School in Lincolnshire got into the VE Day spirit by dressing up in wartime costumes.

    Teacher Chloe Morley said: "The whole community has clubbed together to help us put today on, it's just amazing.

    "The kids have learnt so much from it all."

    Staff at Huttoft Primary School dressed in wartime civilian clothes holding a union flag with VE Day on itJennifer Hughes / BBC

    Noah, who dressed as a soldier, said: "My helmet and beret were actually worn in the war, and it was very fun to learn about where they came from before I wore them."

    Daisy, who wore a wartime-style dress, said: "It's important to learn about VE Day so we remember the people who fought for us."

  15. Hull man, 92, recalls VE Day celebrations in 1945

    On 8 May 1945, Britain rejoiced when Germany surrendered, bringing to an end the war in Europe.

    Brian Farniss, wearing glasses and hearing aids, is wearing a khaki jacket over a pale blue jumper. He has wispy white hair. He is pointing to a boy in a black-and-white photograph.Kevin Shoesmith/BBC

    Brian Farniss, 92, was 12 years old when Hull joined the nation in celebrating victory in Europe in May 1945, which preceded victory over Japan and the end of World War Two.

    "There was euphoria. It was a cacophony of noise, people cheering, clapping. We were all clapping our hands until they were sore. It really was a wonderful day. There was also a huge sense of relief," he said.

    Mr Farniss also spotted himself in an archive photograph taken on the day. Read more about his story here.

  16. 100-year-old RAF veteran leads afternoon tea singalong

    Stanley Carr smiles for the camera as he sits at a piano he wears glasses, a brown and white cardigan and a purple tieAge UK

    A 100-year-old World War Two veteran led a singalong at a VE Day afternoon tea in Lincoln.

    Stanley Carr, who served in the Royal Air Force, was guest of honour at the Age UK event at the charity's Park Street Activity Centre.

    Guest of all ages attend the tea and the room was decorated with original VE Day newspapers as well as photographs and items from the era.

    Mr Carr played the piano, just like he did to entertain fellow airmen during the war.

    Reflecting on his military service, he said: “We’re very lucky as a society that we had people who were willing to put themselves forward for their country.

    "All the men were so very brave, some who sadly never recovered.

    "We must remember them.”

  17. Signing choir perform We'll Meet Again

    Becki Bowden
    Reporting from Howden

    A British Sign Language choir in Howden Minster have performed Vera Lynn's wartime classic We'll Meet Again.

    Sarah-Jade Walker was born profoundly deaf and had a cochlear impact when she was about three years old. She is now a BSL teacher of all ages from babies to adult.

    Sarah-Jade, along with six other women who are deaf, performed wartime songs using BSL. The audience joined in and signed back.

    She says signing songs as part of VE Day is “unique and special”. She says she feels “honoured” and “I’ll never forget it.”

  18. Veterans attend event at Dambusters hotel

    Karl Bird
    BBC Radio Lincolnshire

    Three veterans wearing berets and medals sit in front of a World War two jeep the driver has a red beret and flying jacket and a man with blazer, medals and beret holds a military flagKarl Bird / BBC

    The Blind Veterans UK charity is holding a day-long event at the Petwood Hotel in Woodhall Spa.

    The building was the headquarters of the 617 Dambusters RAF squadron in World War Two.

    About 50 blind veterans attended the event which featured a parade of military vehicles, readings from local schoolchildren as well as food and music.

    Later on The Battle of Britain memorial flight will fly over the hotel with Spitfires and Hurricanes.

    Enjoying the day were John Ryan, 99, Harry Wade, 97, and Ted Wilson,98, who all served in World War Two.

  19. Cottingham celebrations continue into the evening

    Celebrations and events are underway across the region to mark VE Day 80.

    A crown gathers in front of a period red brick building with white windows. A flag pole is in the centre of the image and a red, white and blue union flag has been raised on it.

    A small crowd gathered in Cottingham earlier to see the union flag raised at the Market Green along with a proclamation which was read by Sgt Kalvin Neal from The Royal Yorkshire Regiment.

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

    Evening events include music from the Riverside Brass Ensemble and complimentary drinks 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.

  20. 'I remember the party and it was lovely'

    Gemma Dawson
    BBC Look North

    Grace Berrington who has white hair and shaded glasses holds a black and white photograph of a street party in 1945. She is sitting in a marquee with a red carpet on the floor. Other guests can be seen behind her and are sitting at long tables.

    Memories of street parties held on VE Day in 1945 have been flooding back to those who were there during an event in Lincolnshire.

    The We'll Meet Again Museum in Freiston, Boston has been hosting a commemorative lunch including volunteers in period costumes and wartime music.

    Grace Berrington, 101, brought along a photograph of herself celebrating the end of the war and told us how she remembered having a "lovely time".