by Michelle Horst
Plans by the Hornsea district branch of the Royal British Legion to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day have received a boost thanks to a large donation from Hornsea and District Lions Club.
VE Day is recognised every year on May 8 in recognition of the crucial sacrifices made to achieve victory in Europe in the Second World War.
Though the war continued to see fighting in Japan, VE Day brought relief to England and its allies. On May 8, 1945, Prime Minister Winston Churchill and King George VI addressed the nation, with celebrations in towns and villages across Britain. VE Day marked an end to bombing raids and the loss of life.
To mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, the Hornsea branch of the Royal British Legion is organising a day of events on Sunday, May 11, with something for all the family.
To start the day, a service in Hornsea’s Memorial Gardens will honour those who served.
Events will also include live music, food stalls and funfair rides, and a parade will take place at 2pm. The public are welcome to recapture the jubilant mood of 1945 by embracing a 1940s theme.
Hornsea District Lions have donated £5,000 to help fund the ambitious event. Lions president Mick Parry recently visited the RBL’s meeting at the Ex-Servicemen’s Club, Back Southgate, to present a cheque to Cameron Skinner, the chairman of the Hornsea branch of the Royal British Legion.