Towns and villages across the region have come together to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, with Withernsea, Hornsea and Hedon leading commemorative events, displays and celebrations.
In Withernsea, shops and businesses have been dressing their windows in red, white and blue in a best-dressed shop competition launched in partnership with Withernsea Town Council, the Royal British Legion and Town SMART.
More than 25 businesses have taken part, with themed displays featuring Union Jacks, bunting, poppies and tributes to the wartime generation.
Royal British Legion chairman Darren England said: “I wanted not just the public to be able to support VE Day, but also the local shops and pubs. I thought it would be good to ask them to dress their windows to celebrate.
“The support has been fantastic. We’ve got about 25 shops and pubs dressed and all have made a fantastic effort. It makes our town look great and shows what a fantastic community we live in.”
Promenade Indoor Market was awarded the £100 top prize, with Seaside Arts Space in second place and Inspired taking third.
A cascade of knitted poppies has also been installed at Withernsea’s St Nicholas Church, with an exhibition of military uniforms on display inside.
Friends of St Nicholas Church chairman Darrin Stevens said: “Eighty years ago, the day came to celebrate the end of the Second World War. Withernsea people and shopkeepers have made a great effort to remember that day – but more importantly, to remember the people who made it possible, those who gave so much so that we can live our lives today.
“We owe them so much, and our Withernsea high street shows our appreciation to them. There’s a real buzz about the town and people are looking forward to May 8 to hear the bells.”
Children from Withernsea Primary and High School have also taken part by designing wreath centres for the commemorations. Winning entries will be used to create wreaths to be laid at the 80th anniversary event, while the remaining designs will be displayed in shop windows around the town. Darren England added:
“I wanted the children and students from both schools involved. I asked them to produce a wreath centre from their imagination, and we’ve picked one winner from each school. The shops have agreed to display the others that didn’t win. I’d like to thank Craig Cundy from Withernsea Primary School and Kimberly Wallace from Withernsea High School for their help with the project.”
In Hornsea, a week of events began with Hornsea Museum’s 1940s-style street party in the museum garden on Monday, May 5. The event included music, interactive displays, dress-up activities, museum stalls, refreshments and a visit from the Royal British Legion.
Hornsea Urban Gardeners have created VE Day street sign displays around the town, while Hornsea Fire Station and Hornsea Floral Hall installed their own large-scale poppy displays.
In Memorial Gardens, a cascade of red and purple knitted poppies has been created by members of the Royal British Legion, with help from local knitters. A replica Lancaster Bomber included in the display was made and donated by Hornsea Men in Sheds.
Hornsea NCI has contributed a display depicting hundreds of poppies and a Spitfire, and resident Clare Tate has crafted poppy-themed postbox toppers, now placed throughout the town.
On Thursday, May 8, Hornsea will join the national programme with a 9am Proclamation and Flag Raising, followed by beacon lighting at 9.30pm. From 10.30am, St Nicholas Parish Hall is hosting a day of community events with live coverage of national commemorations, refreshments, and a performance by vintage trio The Clementinas from 11.30am.
Celebrations in Hornsea will culminate on Sunday, May 11, with a parade and service at 2pm in the Memorial Gardens, followed by a VE Day event in Hall Garth Park from 10am to 7pm, featuring live music, children’s rides, food vendors, charity and emergency services stalls, and more.
Road closures will be in place on Newbegin and parts of Cliff Road and New Road from 1.30pm to 3.30pm on Sunday, May 11. Cinema Street Car Park will be closed from midnight to 9pm the same day.
In Hedon, VE Day events will take place from 5.30pm at St Augustine’s Church. The celebration will include stalls, a children’s art exhibition, and a special 1940s-themed Cherry Bakewell cocktail among other refreshments. The ceremonial lighting of the beacon will take place on Market Hill at 9.30pm.