Newcastle’s flambeau beacons will be lit on Thursday 8 May as the city takes part in a national commemoration to mark 80 years since Victory in Europe (VE) Day.
Local people are invited gather on Ceremonial Way for a for a special event that will celebrate the eightieth anniversary of the end of the war in Europe and honour the sacrifices of the World War 2 generation.
The ceremony, which starts at 9pm, will open with a stirring rendition from the Band of the Fifth Royal Regiment of Fusiliers followed by a VE Day speech from Colonel Peter Stitt, Commander North Region, British Army.
Newcastle Male Voice Choir will perform a selection of World War 2 songs that rang out around the country on 8 May 1945 as millions celebrated VE Day.
The Lord Mayor of Newcastle will then proclaim the tribute to the fallen. The event will end at 9.30pm with a performance of the National Anthem and the lighting of the flambeau beacons.
There will also be an opportunity to visit the Remember and Reflect exhibition in the Arches at the Civic Centre before the ceremony gets underway.
Lord Mayor, Councillor Rob Higgins, said: “The courage and dedication shown by men, women and children who lived during the Second World War must never be forgotten.
“As in 1945, people across Newcastle are coming together to celebrate the end of the war in Europe but, with so few of the World War generation still with us today, we must also take the time to honour and pay respects to heroes who sacrificed so much for the freedom we so often take for granted today.”
Newcastle’s Armed Forces Champion, Councillor Linda Wright, said: “When people took to the streets in 1945 to celebrate they did so with a mix of joy that the war in Europe was finally over, sorrow for those they had lost and fear for those still fighting in the Asia and the Pacific.
“Eighty years later, I want to encourage as many people as possible to come along to not only join the celebrations but also to remember the lessons of the past as we honour and pay tribute to all the men, women and children who sacrificed so much as they hoped for a better future.”
To find out more about our VE Day 80 commemorative events and other things going on in the city please visit https://www.newcastle.gov.uk/VE-VJ-Day-80