VE Day 80th Anniversary Celebrations

8 May 1945 – Victory in Europe Day (VE DAY) – is a day etched in the memory of everyone who witnessed it. After nearly six years of war Germany officially surrendered on 7 May 1945 and the conflict was finally over.

The unconditional surrender came after Adolf Hitler took his own life on 30 April as the Allies surrounded Berlin, and was authorised by his successor Grand Admiral Karl Dönitz.

News that the war in Europe had ended did not come as a surprise and had been anticipated back in Britain for some time as the Allies advanced on Germany.

The announcement that the war was over was broadcast across the radio to the British people on the evening of 7 May with a news flash announcing that VE Day would be a national holiday and would take place the next day.

Across the western world, millions rejoiced, relieved that years of conflict and incredible hardship were finally coming to an end.
Up and down the country millions of people took to the streets as communities came together to celebrate the end of the European conflict with street parties, dancing and singing.
(Source: Royal British Legion)

MEMORIAL GARDENS & FILEY BANDSTAND
Today, the Filey branch of the Royal British Legion held a service in the Memorial Gardens in Filey to mark the occasion 80 years on. This included a proclamation from the Town Crier, an act of remembrance followed by a short commemorative service, and singing from local school children. The Mayor of Filey and Filey Town Councillors were also in attendance.

Filey Town Council would like to thank everyone for attending the Memorial Gardens service, with special thanks to the Filey Branch of the Royal British Legion for arranging this event.

Filey Town Council also welcomed Hunmanby Silver Band who performed on the Filey Bandstand to celebrate VE Day from 2pm-4pm. This marks the start of the 2025 bandstand concert season with more entertainment to come. For more information please see the poster attached below for a list of all of the confirmed bandstand concerts for the year.