Ashford Borough Council to commemorate 80th anniversary of VE Day

Ashford Borough Council is proud to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day with a programme of meaningful events on Thursday 8 May 2025. The day marks the end of World War II in Europe and will honour the bravery, resilience and sacrifice of all those who served.

Schedule of events:

The day will begin at 9:00am with the raising of the VE Day 80th anniversary flag and a public reading of the VE Day Proclamation by the Mayor of Ashford. This will take place outside the Civic Centre on Tannery Lane, Ashford.

From 10:30am to 4:00pm, visitors can explore ‘Discover Chilmington’s Wartime Secrets’, a special pop-up exhibition hosted in Ashford Gateway Plus, Church Road, Ashford. Curated by local volunteers, the exhibition uncovers moving stories and little-known wartime history from the Chilmington area – offering a captivating journey through local heritage, perfect for all ages.

The day will conclude with a poignant ceremony at 9:30pm, as the Civic Memorial Gas Beacon in Civic Park, Tannery Lane, Ashford, is lit in tribute. This will be accompanied by the official VE Day Tribute reading, joining a nationwide act of remembrance.

Get involved locally:

In addition to the official events, Ashford Borough Council is encouraging community involvement by promoting a wide range of national and local activities on its website, including:

• A listing of public VE Day events across the borough
• Guidance on hosting your own street or garden parties
• Suggestions for traditional VE Day activities, such as baking wartime recipes and ringing church bells

Residents are invited to explore the resources and ideas online to get involved with this historic day.

Tracey Kerly, Chief Executive at Ashford Borough Council, said: “VE Day stands as a poignant reminder of the resilience and unity shown by communities during times of hardship. We are honoured to lead these commemorations and invite everyone to take part in remembering this pivotal moment in our shared history.”

For full event details, participation guidance and ways to get involved, please visit our dedicated VE Day 80 webpage or follow us on social media for updates.