On Thursday 8th May, the nation will come together to remember the millions that paid the ultimate sacrifice fighting and securing the freedom we all enjoy today.
From early morning when the sun rises to evening as night descends, church bells will ring out, special flags will be flown, town criers will proclaim the victory, the haunting sound of bagpipes will fill the air and, in a final gesture of homage, beacons and Lamp Lights of Peace will be lit to signify the light that emerged from the darkness of war.
Ferryhill Town Council will be joining hundreds of others in remembering the brave men and women who took part, not only from our country, but also the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories, in a National Beacon Lighting Ceremony to mark the VE-Day 80 Anniversary.
At 9.10pm on Thursday, 8 May residents are invited to Ferryhill Town Hall Garden for the special ceremony, which will include a blessing and prayers by a representative of St Luke’s Church, and the reading of the Proclamation and Tribute by the Mayor of Ferryhill (or their representative).
Bruno Peek CVO OBE OPR Pageant master of VE DAY 80 said: “In order to celebrate the eighty years of peace and freedom given to us by the bravery and ultimate sacrifice of so many during WWII as a whole, hundreds of Town Criers will undertake the VE Day Proclamation at 8am.
“Flags will be raised, church bells will be rung, and over one thousand beacons and several hundred Lamp Lights of Peace will be lit at 9.30pm across the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories, with the flames from the beacons and lamps representing the ‘light of peace’ that emerged from the darkness of war.
“Once lit for this occasion, the lamps can be re-lit again at 11am on Remembrance Sunday for many years to come in tribute to the many millions that sacrificed their lives during WWII.”
Ferryhill & Chilton's local community newspaper.
