Melksham will come together to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day next month with a series of community events to commemorate the end of the fighting in Europe during the Second World War.
The town’s commemorations take place on Thursday 8th May and will begin with the raising of the Union Flag and the reading of the proclamation from the steps of the Town Hall at 9am.
From 11.30am, a ticketed VE Day lunch will be held in the Assembly Hall, followed by an afternoon tea dance from 2pm, featuring the Terry Hill Big Band, and a medley of 1940s music from 4.30pm to 6pm.
Tickets for the whole afternoon cost £10. Tickets to attend the tea dance only cost £6 and are available to purchase from the Melksham Assembly Hall website.
For local primary schools, Melksham Town Council will be hosting a picnic at the King George V playing fields from 12pm to 1pm.
Then, at 6.30pm, the bells of St Michael’s Church will be rung in commemoration across the town.
At 8pm, there will be a performance in the Market Place by the Wiltshire Police Band, ahead of the lighting of the beacon and the Lamp Light of Peace, followed by the reading of the VE Day tribute, which will be taking place nationally.
The evening’s commemorations will conclude with a solo performance by Liza Hartley.
Melksham Town Council said it expects the afternoon and early evening programme to expand as other organisations confirm their plans.
A spokesperson for Melksham Town Council said, “We would be grateful if you and your organisation could confirm which aspects of the commemorations you would like to attend using the link provided: https://form.jotform.com/243533984370361”
To book tickets for the VE Day Lunch and Tea Dance, visit the Melksham Assembly Hall website: https://www.melkshamassembly.co.uk/events
In addition, the Friends of Giffords Surgery will be hosting a free VE Day Street Party on Monday 5th May, from 12noon to 4.30pm at Giffords Surgery Car Park.
The celebration will include 1940s music, games, cake stalls, cream teas, charity stalls, craft stalls and more. The event is open to everyone in the Melksham community and the wider Giffords Surgery catchment area.
Places are limited and free tickets can be booked in advance at: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/80th-v-e-day-celebrations-tickets-1324962040129
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