VE Day 80 celebrations in Hull and East Yorkshire

A former armed forces veteran hopes Beverley will be turned "red, white and blue" with Union flags to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

Victory in Europe Day, known as VE Day, is celebrated on 8 May to mark the day the Allies formally accepted Germany's surrender in 1945.

A family-friendly event will be staged in in Coronation Gardens, Beverley, from 18:00 BST, with the VE Day 80 Proclamation, followed by a prayer and words of thanksgiving.

Michael Menzies-Baird, from SSAFA, the armed forces charity, said he was "encouraging shops and businesses to fly the flag".

The former bomb disposal engineer hopes the event will help raise awareness of veterans with mental health issues.

"PTSD and suicide are massive problems for veterans, particularly the younger ones. They need a lot of counselling and charities like SSAFA are the first point of contact," he said.

Due to the pandemic, events planned to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day had to be cancelled. Mr Menzies-Baird said he hoped this year people would show "how proud we are of our country".

As part of the celebrations, at 18:30 BST bells will ring from St Mary's Church and Beverley Minster. People are invited to bring picnics as choirs and bands perform in the garden.

The ceremony will be repeated at 21:30 BST – the time much of the nation will be marking the event.

Events in Cottingham on 8 May will include an afternoon filled with 1940s music, sing-a-longs, a lindy hop dance and cream teas at Cottingham Civic Hall.

Evening events will include music from the Riverside Brass Ensemble and a glass of complementary Pimms at St Mary's Church. Programmes and tickets are available from the parish council.

"We are proud to come together as a community to honour the courage and sacrifices of those who fought for our freedom," event organisers said.

On 5 May, Burton Constable Hall and grounds will step back in time with a wind band and swing dancing and games such as tug of war and sack races, from 10:00 to 16:00.

Traditional fish and chips and the VE Day official orange and ginger cake will be on the menu.

People attending the event are invited to dress in 1940s attire, from military uniforms to tea dresses. Entry to the grounds will be free, with a fee to enter the hall.

Street signs and benches in Hornsea will be adorned with knitted and crocheted poppies to mark VE Day.

Volunteers have already created more than 300 poppies and residents are being asked to lay a poppy outside their front door.

A market stall will also be held in Hall Garth Park and the beacon on the seafront will be lit at 21:30 BST on the 8 May.

A service of remembrance will be held at the war memorial outside Christ Church in Swanland on 8 May at 11:00 BST.

World War Two photographs and memorabilia will be displayed at the village hall until 14:00 BST.

An evening of live entertainment and reflection will be held at Hessle Foreshore on 8 May. At 21:30 BST the beacon will be lit as a mark of remembrance.

Hull History Centre is marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two with a film showing archive footage of celebrations in the city.

Archivists said it was an opportunity to see how the people of Hull marked "this momentous day".

There will also be a display of original photographs and documents from the time, with a number of free screenings taking place on 3 May.

A military charity in Bridlington is encouraging people to hang out bunting as part of VE Day celebrations.

Military Assistance Social Hub, MASH, is organising a community event at Bridlington Club for Young People (CYP) from 13:00 BST on 8 May.

Are you planning a VE Day event? Let us know. Email [email protected]

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