Come together to mark these significant anniversaries in Powys

POWYS communities are being urged to “come together” to help mark the 80th anniversaries of VE Day (Victory in Europe Day) and VJ Day (Victory over Japan Day).

VE Day on Thursday 8 May is being remembered with events next week and VJ Day (Friday 15 August) with events later in the year.

VE Day events in Powys include:

Guilsfield Celebrates VE Day 80, 3 – 10pm on Monday 5 May: street party in the centre of the village with live music.
Talgarth Street Party, 12pm onwards on Saturday 10 May: in Talgarth Town Square. Also, anniversary events on Thursday 8 May, including SSAFA coffee morning, church service, bell ringing, beacon lighting and lantern procession.
Crickhowell VE Day 80, 2pm until late on Sunday 11 May: street party on Crickhowell High Street with the option to dress in 1940s style clothing. Also, commemorative events in the Clarence Hall on Friday 9 May, including afternoon tea and VE Party with live music.
VE Day 80 in Brecon, 2 – 7pm on Saturday 10 May: picnic at The Bandstand on The Promenade, with the Band of the Prince of Wales, community sports and other live music. Also, anniversary events on Thursday 8 May, including proclamation and flag raising, community sing-along and beacon lighting.
VE Day 80 in Llandrindod Wells, at 2pm on Monday 5 May: family tea party at the Royal British Legion Club. Also, commemorative events on Thursday 8 May and Sunday 11 May, including proclamation at the war memorial with both primary school choirs, and a church service with the Royal British Legion.
Ystradgynlais 80^th Anniversary of VE Day, at 10am on Saturday 3 May: parade from the Welfare Hall to the memorial garden at the Gorsedd for a short service followed by a buffet at the Con Club, organised by Swansea Valley Armed Forces Club.
VE Day events in Hay-on-Wye on Thursday 8 May include a display of military vehicles, a church service and beacon lighting.
VE Day celebration in Welshpool, 1 – 4pm on Monday 5 May: street party on Broad Street with live music. Also, anniversary events on Sunday 4 May and Thursday 8 May, including parade and church service, ceremony at the memorial garden on Howell Drive, afternoon tea and beacon lighting.
Llanfyllin VE Day celebrations, 12 – 3pm on Monday 5 May: traditional street party on The Square with live entertainment. Also, commemorative events on Thursday 8 May, including bell ringing, wreath laying ceremony and beacon lighting.

A street party on The Watton in Brecon celebrating VE Day in 1945

Powys County Council will also be hosting its own flag raising ceremony at County Hall in Llandrindod Wells with members of the 160^th (Welsh) Brigade, Royal Signals, Royal Army Nursing Corps and Llandrindod Wells Royal British Legion Branch in attendance on Thursday 8 May.

The public are invited to attend the event at 12.30pm.

Councillor Matthew Dorrance, Powys County Council’s Deputy Leader and Armed Forces Champion, said: “I’m really keen to see Powys communities come together to mark these significant anniversaries.

“Next week presents an opportunity to celebrate our victory over the fascist forces in Europe in 1945 and to honour and remember the sacrifices made by family members and friends, who were alive during the Second World War.

“VE Day marks a pivotal point in our history and without their victory 80 years ago, Britain would have faced a very bleak and brutal future.

“Enjoy your celebrations and tag the council in your pictures on social media, if you would like us to share them.”

Event organisers can add them to the official UK Government website: https://ve-vjday80.gov.uk/events/