RESIDENTS across Redditch borough attended a multitude of events to the mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
Last Thursday morning, a flag-raising took place at Redditch Town Hall organised by the borough council.
A VE Day 80 service was then held at the Plymouth Road War Memorial.
MP Chris Bloore. Picture by Marcus Mingins 2025010MMR2
Cadets, from Trinity High School and Bromsgrove School, walked through the Kingfisher Centre en route to taking part in the service at Plymouth Road.
A parade went from the gates to the cenotaph where there was a wreath-laying service, led by Rev Paul Lawlor. This included the Kohima Epitath, Exhortation, Last Post, Reveille and a two-minute silence.
Afterwards, crosses were laid at the graves of an RAF pilot from Redditch who died in the Second World War and a six-year-old boy whose life was ended in an air raid.
Picture by Marcus Mingins 2025010MMR3
Then on the Saturday, there was a parade from the Palace Theatre to St Stephen’s Memorial which saw residents line the streets to pay their respects.
At the memorial, there was a short wreath-laying service by Rev Canon Lawlor and a silence to remember the fallen.
Coun. Sharon Harvey. Picture by Marcus Mingins. Picture by Marcus Mingins 2025010MMR1
Other events
Other events taking place on the Thursday included open church at St Peter’s Church along with bell-ringing, a quarter peal at St John the Baptist Church in Feckenham and a Bring and Share Supper at St Philip’s Church Community Hall organised by the Ladies Circle. There was also an outdoor prayer station by the First World War and Second World War commemoration plaques for private prayer and interaction.
And there was a VE Day 80 party at Redditch Rugby Club on Saturday night.
Memorable occasions
Gerry Marsden, Redditch Royal British Legion, said: “It was a very good turn-out on Thursday, considering it was a working day for many, and the numbers who attended on the Saturday was even bigger – it was absolutely fantastic.
“We held the Saturday event so more cadets could take part and we had the Navy, Army and Air Force Cadets in the parade.
“On behalf of the RBL I would like to thank Rev Paul Lawlor and Fr Jason Mahoney, James Shotbolt who organised the party at the rugby club and everyone who took part in what were very memorable occasions.”
The VE Day Wake, which took place throughout the week, raised £2,588 for Redditch Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal.
