VE Day in Aldermaston

On 8 May, Aldermaston Parish Council are supporting the national commemorations of the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe, continuing our history of celebrating and bringing our local community together for big anniversaries. 

We will congregate at the village’s war memorial – the Lychgate at 5:30pm.  The beautiful Lychgate was put up around 1920, remembering those who lost their lives in the first world war (there are 44 names in the church of those connected to Aldermaston who lost their lives in the first world war).  We will decorate the Lychgate and the Looney as a tribute to all those who served in both world wars and to commemorate peace.

We are holding the events earlier than the national tribute to encourage participation of families and children, following feedback at our last commemoration that those with younger children could not attend.

Our commemoration at the Lychgate will include reflection, celebration and hope for peace, reading of the national tribute and bagpipes.  We are fortunate to have Bagpiper, Neil Gauld – who will be a memorable and moving commemoration at our Lychgate at 5:30pm.

We will then make our way into the Church for a service, prayers and hymns to commemorate the occasion.  In Aldermaston we will light lanterns as part of the lamp light of peace, including a procession through the church with a dedicated remembrance lantern.  We will also join in singing ‘I Vow to Thee My Country’, which will be sung as part of the national celebrations.

The bells of St Mary’s will ring out at 6:30pm as part of a nation-wide ringing of bells to mark VE Day and give thanks to all those who served as well as to provide a commitment to peace.

National celebrations

8 May 2025 is the historic 80th anniversary of VE Day and across the nation and Commonwealth events are being held to unite communities and the nation and celebrate 80 years of peace since the end of World War II in Europe.  The VE Day 80 commemorations are not only a tribute to those who fought for the freedom we all enjoy today, but also a powerful reminder of the resilience and unity that have defined our country ever since.  The aim of the commemorations is to encourage everyone to be part of this anniversary “as a day of joy, reflection and celebration … reaffirming our commitment to world peace, ensuring future generations understand and cherish its value”

VE Day past celebrations in Aldermaston

VE Day has been celebrated by Aldermaston with images captured of villagers congregating in celebration notably in 1945 and the 50th anniversary

Five years ago as a village we had great plans for VE Day commemorations but those plans were hit by covid-19 restrictions. Many villagers held their individual tea parties and put up bunting to celebrate the occasion.

For VE Day on 8 May more than one thousand of beacons and hundreds of Lamp Lights of Peace will shine throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, with the flames from them both, representing the ‘light of peace’ that emerged from the dreadful darkness of war, along with the nation coming together in city and town squares to village greens, and all other manner of locations at this special and unique one moment in time, and sing the great British Hymn ‘I Vow To Thee My Country, standing side by side in gratitude, honouring the many sacrifices that secured our freedom.

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Further information:

Lamp Light of Peace – Light a Lamp Light of Peace for the animals that served

The lamp light of peace this year is specifically remembering all the animals that played a vital role in the war, for example:

• Horses, mules, and donkeys played a major role transporting troops, equipment, and valuable supplies in areas impenetrable by trucks. These animals worked on the front lines, with donkeys and mules undertaking vital jobs on the home front too, in industry and on farms working the land. In 1942, the British alone employed 6,500 horses.
• Dogs played vital roles and carried out important duties, serving as watch dogs, guarding supplies, delivering messages and medical supplies, sniffing out land mines and alerting soldiers to the approach of enemy troops.
• Both sides used pigeons during World War II, particularly when traditional methods of communication were considered impractical or risky. The British military alone used over 200,000 homing pigeons, supplied by the National Pigeon Service. RAF bombers carried pigeons in special cases when traveling deep over enemy territory, so that they could get a message back to a rescue team if they were shot down and their radios damaged.
• Dogs, cats, and even exotic animals boosted morale during the darkest days of the war. Cats would also hunt for vermin and soldiers in India and Burma quickly discovered that adopting a mongoose meant having not only a pet, but also a friend who would fight off poisonous snakes and alert them to the presence of enemies. Soldiers stationed in the western desert adopted an endearing creature called a jerboa, and these gregarious little pets were nicknamed ‘Desert Rats’ which is how the 7th Armoured Division got its nickname.

Bagpipes

Pipers are always an important part of our commemorations and pipers will be playing across the nation including 20 bagpipers playing across Scotland in the lead up to VE Day.  We have a history in Aldermaston of playing bagpipers for our commemorative occasions including D-Day and VE Day.

Ringing out the Nation

The Very Revd Jo Kelly-Moore, Chair of the Association of English Cathedrals and the Dean of St Albans said: “On 8 May 2025 Cathedral bells around our nation will ring out as we mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day and give thanks for those who offered their services, and many lives, that we might know peace.”

“As we gather in prayer in our Cathedrals and places of worship on that special anniversary, the bells that ring out are also a call to us to renew our commitment, people of all faiths and none, to work for peace in our communities and in God’s world.”

Online Prisoners of War Museum

The Online Memorial and Museum of Prisoners of War charity highlights that, by VE Day 8th May 1945, most British, Commonwealth and Allied prisoners held in Europe had been liberated.  They ask that we celebrate and provide a tribute to all those who endured dreadful conditions and suffered so much in Prisoner of War Camps.