Victory in Europe Day celebrated the surrender of Germany’s armed forces on 8th May 1945. The surrender was signed in the morning of 7th May by General Alfred Jodl, Germany’s Army Chief of Staff. By the time the news got out the following day, Europe began its bittersweet celebrations. In true British style, people across Great Britain dragged their tables out into the street, made all manner of dishes with whatever they had in the kitchen, and celebrated the end of a long, devastating world war. People sang and danced with neighbours, they took to the streets to cheer and wave their flags, or took time to remember loved ones they had lost. 

Eighty years on, a number of events will be taking place in Launceston next week as VE Day celebrations get underway. It all starts with a Service of Remembrance on Sunday, 4th May at St Mary Magdalene’s Church, 5.30pm. 

On bank holiday Monday, 5th May, there will be a special VE Day picnic in the Square. Bring your own picnic and make memories with friends and family, while soaking up war time era music and entertainment from Launceston Town Band. This event is free to attend, but spaces need to be booked in advance at the Visitor Information Centre, so go, go, go if you want to book a table for your picnic! 

On the anniversary of VE Day itself, on Thursday 8th May, a service will be held in the Square at 11am, led by the Royal British Legion. Church bells will ring out, and in the evening, the beacon at Coronation Park will be lit as part of a nationwide chain of illuminated beacons. 

The celebrations continue into the weekend, with a special event being held on 10th May at the Fox and Grapes pub in Lifton to transport you back in time. Expect military vehicles, weapons and living history displays, a helicopter fly-in from Historic Helicopters, a remembrance service and plenty of activities and entertainment throughout the day and evening. From 7pm, there will be live music, and people are encouraged to dress in period costume or uniform, if they wish. Tickets should be booked for the evening entertainment, which are £10 per person.

What’s more, shops in Launceston will be decorated to mark the anniversary event, and there will even be a chance to put your baking skills to the test with a VE Day Bake Off on Monday, 5th May.

To explore local history, the Lawrence House Museum’s pop-up in the Square offers a great opportunity to delve deeper into the war time experiences of people living in Launceston. See their VE Day exhibition, featuring incredible artefacts, including a full Land Girl uniform that belonged to local lady Joan Rendell (1921-2010). 

Were you a youngster during VE Day? Perhaps your parents or grandparents have passed on their memories to you, or maybe you’ll be hosting a VE Day celebration in your street, 80 years on. If you have a VE Day story to share, email rosie@life-media.co.uk with some information.

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