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VE Day 80th anniversary services across Bradford

Charles Heslett
BBC News, Yorkshire•@CharlesHeslett
Reporting fromBradford
BBC Hundreds of people, many in uniform, praying in front of Bradford war memorial. BBC
Last year's service for Armistice Day was held at the Bradford War Memorial next to the Alhambra Theatre, where the VE Day anniversary will be marked as well

People across the Bradford district are expected to join the the rest of the nation later in marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day - the day World War Two ended in Europe.

A number of events and services are planned as part of wider efforts to celebrate, commemorate and reflect the events of 8 May 1945.

A special service is due be held at 11:00 BST at the Bradford War Memorial in the city centre, with Lord Mayor Councillor Beverley Mullaney due to host a multi-faith service led by Bradford Cathedral.

Services are also due to be held in Keighley, Ilkley, Wibsey, East Morton and Shipley later, while commemmorations will be held in Bingley on Saturday 10 May.

'Special day'

Councillor Joanne Dodds, Bradford Council's armed forces champion, said: "VE Day is a time to remember the courage, resilience and sacrifice of those who fought for peace and freedom.

"We hope this will bring our community together with pride and reflection.

"I look forward to seeing how residents across the district will mark this milestone 80th anniversary in their own way."

Many Bradford Council buildings are expected to be lit red, white and blue throughout the day.

The Lord Mayor said: "It is important we come together at this significant time, 80 years since the end of World War Two in Europe.

"It is important we take this opportunity to remember the sacrifices as well as the resilience of those who have gone before us.

"I hope people will join us for a short service to reflect.

"I know for many this will be a normal working day, but I hope residents will join in the VE Day celebrations where they can and mark this special day."

BENJAMIN CREMEL/Pool via REUTERS Soldiers march past Cenotaph in London draped in Union flagsBENJAMIN CREMEL/Pool via REUTERS
A military parade marched past the Cenotaph in London on Monday as part of events across the country this week to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day

VE Day events are due to be held in a number of places in the Bradford district over the next few days.

Keighley Town Council is holding various events on Thursday 8 May in the Town Hall Square, while Ilkley Town Council is also set to host a programme of events on the same day.

Meanwhile, the Wibsey Cenotaph flagpole and memorial bench will be officially opened at about 10:30 BST on Thursday, and at the East Morton War Memorial Institute there will be an exhibition from Thursday to Sunday celebrating local soldiers who served in the war, with a commemoration also planned for Saturday 10 May.

A picnic is also expected to be held at Shipley Central Park between 09:30 BST and 14:00 BST on Thursday 8 May.

Several events are due to take place in Bingley on Saturday 10 May.

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Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.