Flintshire and Wrexham to mark 80 years since VE Day with events

Councils across Wrexham and Flintshire have begun to unveil their plans to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day.

The events will mark the unconditional surrender of Nazi German troops across Europe to the Allies in World War II on May 8, 1945 sparking widespread celebrations across the war-weary Allied Nations. Outside Europe the war continued until Japan became the final Axis power to surrender later that year on September 2.

In Wrexham commemorations will begin with a service of remembrance at St Giles’ Church at 12.30pm on Thursday, May 8.

From 1.15pm the city centre will see the military associations of Wrexham parade their Standards through the city centre streets.

The parade will be led by the Royal Welch Fusiliers Volunteer Corps of Drums – who have been honoured with the freedom of the city since 1946. It will march along Hope Street, on to Queen’s Street, Queen’s Square, Lambpit Street and Chester Street.

When the march reaches the Crown Buildings there will be a salute before turning right onto Bodhyfryd where the parade will halt.

While the Wrexham Salvation Army band plays there will be a wreath laying ceremony before the parade concludes and participants retire to the War Memorial Club.

Cllr Beverley Parry-Jones, Wrexham County Borough Council’s Armed Forces Champion, said: “I would encourage everyone to make a note of this date. Come out, line the streets of Wrexham for the parade and make this a day of both reflection and celebration.

“Wrexham has long-standing connections with the armed forces and this is a wonderful opportunity to pay thanks to a heroic generation.”

North Wales MS Sam Rowlands welcomed the plans.

“The day will be a fantastic opportunity to show our backing for such an heroic achievement and quite rightly commemorate this important event,” he said.

“Wrexham has very strong connections with the armed forces and I hope we see lots of people lining the streets on the big day.”

In Flintshire there are also a number of planned events.

Mold Town Council will be hosting an event at the Daniel Owen Centre with World War II-era music displays from Rhydymwyn Valley History Society and period military vehicles on display. There will also be performances from Mold Town Concert band, singer Sharon Wallace and the band CanCan plus free hot refreshments.

Meanwhile Flint Town Council will begin its commemoration with a proclamation on St Mary and St David’s Parish Church steps at 9am before showcasing wartime memorabilia and art and poetry related to the conflict by local school pupils at the town hall.

There will also be a fish and chip lunch at noon before, in the evening, a beacon on the Flintshire coastal path in Flint will be lit to symbolize the ‘light of peace’.

By Alec Doyle – Local Democracy Reporter