March will be marking VE Day anniversary in style
March will be marking the 80th anniversary of the Victory in Europe this spring with a day full of events organised by Nigel ‘Spence’ Spencer.
Cllr Spencer outlined the day to his fellow town councillors at their meeting last night.
He explained that March had been the first to receive a certificate from Royal Pageant Master Bruno Peek, who on behalf of the King had asked for towns, villages and cities to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day on May 8 – the certificate is on display in the window of the council offices on the Market Place.
Cllr Spencer said the day would start with the VE Day proclamation read by Mark Wiling outside the town hall from 8am. He said the event would be attended by military veterans but he hoped the public would also join in the event, anticipated to last no more than 10 minutes.
At 9am there will be the raising of the VE Day flag on the newly installed flagpole near the War Memorial in Broad Street. This will include the councillors attending in their formal robes and will be led by the Rev Andrew Smith from St Peter’s Church.
Cllr Spencer said: “This will be the military part of the day.”
The celebrations will continue with the ringing of the town’s church bells at 6.30pm – Cllr Spencer said he is currently in talks with the churches to organise this part of the day.
From there the event will move into West End Park from around 7.30pm where there will be a collection of at least 15 military vehicles on display, a number of stalls, and entertainment including singing from the town’s choirs. Cllr Spencer is hoping some of the schools will get involved with the singing.
The beacon will be lit at 9.30pm, members of the Women’s Section of the Royal British Legion will read out the tribute. It is then hoped that the crowds gathered will join in the singing of ‘I vow to thee my country’ – there will be a short break and then the event will conclude with the singing of the National Anthem.
Cllr Spencer said that as fish and chips were the only food that was not rationed during the war it is hoped people will eat the favourite British dish throughout the day, which is particularly significant because Fenland was a major producer of potatoes for the chips.
Cllr Spencer said the cost of putting on the event will be funded using money left over from the March Armed Forces Festival but he anticipated it would cost no more than £720 – that includes banners to be put up around the town and the printing of song sheets for the hymn singing.
At the end of Cllr Spencer’s presentation the council agreed to buy and install two commemorative benches one each for the First World War and for World War Two. Cllr Jan French said Fenland District Council would be installing them in the town centre.
