Church bells and beacons to mark VE Day

Church bells will ring out and beacons will be lit across Berkshire as it commemorates 80 years since VE Day.

Thursday 8 May marks the anniversary of the day fighting against Nazi Germany in Europe came to an end in 1945.

A number of events including historical talks, a market, parades and services are being held across the county for the occasion, both on the anniversary itself and over the early May bank holiday.

Street parties are also being held in some areas such as Holyport and Sunningdale in Maidenhead, resulting in road closures.

Celebrations begin on Sunday, with a Big Lunch hosted by Binfield Parish Council in Farley Wood Community Centre.

The council has promised live music, entertainment, rides and a range of food and drink stalls, with attendees encouraged to dress up in 1940s outfits, or red, white and blue.

On Monday, residents can visit the Best of British Market on The Broadway in Thatcham for food stalls including British cheese and honey, crafts and jewellery, and entertainment.

In Slough, residents can visit St George's CofE Church on Long Furlong Drive for food from around the world, games from the 1940s, face painting and henna painting, among other things.

For those looking to learn more about the history, Project Purley is hosting an exhibition and a talk by historian Mike Cooper, teaching people all about the role Purley played in the war and what happened in Europe in 1945.

On Thursday, the anniversary itself, a number of services are being held across Berkshire.

The flag will be raised at Foxley Fields at 09:00 BST, and that evening there will be a military parade, garden games and live music, before the lighting of the beacon.

At the war memorial in Woodford Park in Woodley, the town mayor will lay a wreath ahead of the lighting of the beacon.

Beacons will also be lit at the Butchers Arms Pub on Sonning Common and School Green War Memorial in Shinfield.

In Newbury, a service will be held at the war memorial, followed by a celebration lunch for over-65s at Fair Close Day Centre.

The festivities carry on into next weekend, with community celebrations in Victoria Park, Newbury, from 11:00 to 15:00 on Saturday 10 May.

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