Victory in Europe’s 80th anniversary will be marked in Grantham with a celebration at Grantham House, a flag raising, a tea dance and a beacon lighting in Wyndham Park.
Organiser South Kesteven District Council is also inviting communities to stage their own events as part of the national commemoration.
The Grantham House celebration on 4th May will also illustrate the council’s Soldiers from the Sky project, made possible by National Lottery players, telling how locally-based Allied paratroopers contributed to the end of the war.
The free event, from 10am to 4pm, will include memorabilia displays from historic airfields and two local wartime air crashes, WWII jeeps and military re-enactors, teas on the lawn, Chapel House pizza, music and bookable military heritage talks in the morning and afternoon.
On Thursday 8th May, VE Day itself, events start with a flag raising on St Peter’s Green at 9am.
In the afternoon the Guildhall Ballroom will host a tea dance to the sound of Glenn Miller and Frank Sinatra with quicksteps, foxtrots, waltzes and Latin numbers.
In the evening, Wyndham Park will host military exhibits in the Visitor Centre, with the park café open, plus music and dancing from Grantham School of Dance and tours of the Heroes Commemorative Orchard in the build up to the beacon lighting at 9.30pm.
Cllr Phil Dilks, South Kesteven District Council Cabinet member for Armed Forces, said: “We are delighted to celebrate such a milestone in our country’s history as part of the national commemoration and extremely grateful to the National Trust for hosting this event at Grantham House.
“It’s vital that we never forget the sacrifices of so many who fought for our freedoms.”
Dr Henry Cutten, Local Partnerships Co-ordinator at Grantham House, said: “The National Trust is honoured to support this meaningful event. Grantham House will soon be opening with free entry, and our hope is that the property will become a special place for the community, somewhere they feel pride in and a sense of ownership for.
“Being part of events like this is a great step towards that ambition and we’d love to hear from any community groups hoping to host events in the future.”
Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Robert L Parker
