Epsom VE-Day 80th Anniversery

Join us on Epsom Downs on Thursday, 8th May from 7pm as we mark and celebrate the 80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.

The day starts in Epsom Marketplace at 9am with the reading of the VE-Day Proclamation by Cllr Graham Jones, Armed Forces Champion for Epsom & Ewell. He will be accompanied by the Royal British Legion Epsom & Ewell Branch and 135 Squadron. There will also be the raising of the official VE-Day flag. Members of the public are encouraged to join in the singing of I Vow to Thee My Country, the words are in the order of service below. At 6:30pm Christ Church, Epsom, will join in the national Ring Out, ringing the church bells.

At 7pm the main gate to Epsom Downs Racecourse will open, and visitors can expect an evening of music and a look back at Epsom & Ewell in World War 2. Performing will be The Show Choir, Epsom & Ewell Silver Band and Laine Theatre Arts.  Bourne Hall Museum will have an exhibition of Epsom & Ewell during WW2 and VE-Day 1945. Age Concern Epsom & Ewell and the Epsom and Ewell Branch of the Royal British Legion will have information stands.

Members of the public are invited to join us at 9:10pm when Councillor Graham Jones, Armed Forces Champion, will read a VE Day reflection. His Worshipful Mayor of Epsom & Ewell, Councillor Steve Bridger, will make a speech accompanied by Standard Bearers from Royal British Legion, led by County Standard Bearer Laura Hayworth and standard bearers from  Epsom & Ewell, Cheam and Sutton, Malden and Coombe, Banstead, Belmont branches. Members of 135 Squadron will be in attendance.

Approximately 9.25pm the Audience will be led in the community singing of  I Vow to Thee My Country, by Epsom Male Voice Choir, words are in the Order of Service.

Then at 9.30pm His Worshipful Mayor of Epsom & Ewell, Councillor Steve Bridger, will light the Beacon.