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We're sorry but this area of the website is reserved for the use of Aldermaston History Group members only.
If you are a member please use the Members Login in the menu above where you can Read more
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.
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 has been celebrated by Aldermaston with images captured of villagers congregating in celebration notably in 1945 and the 50th anniversary
8th May 1945
8th May 1995
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.
The lamp light of peace this year is specifically remembering all the animals that played a vital role in the war, for example:
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.
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.”
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.
We're sorry but this area of the website is reserved for the use of Aldermaston History Group members only.
If you are a member please use the Members Login in the menu above where you can Read more
On Sept 13th or 14th (still to be confirmed) the History Group will steward the Open Day at St Mary’s Church, Aldermaston as part of the National Heritage Open Days.
Aldermaston History Group will have a stand at the local fete & produce show where members of the History Group can chat to the local community about what we do and what history people know about.
Aldermaston History Group
Annual General Meeting 14 April 2021 via Zoom
Present: Peter and Natalie Brown, Chris Newman, Cynthia Newman, Dave Shirt, Peter Oldridge, Lynda and Stephen Mead, Peter Hulme, Chris Boott, Tony Girling, Pat and Steve Read more
Aldermaston History Group
Annual General Meeting 6 November 2019, 7.30pm, Officers Mess, Hinds Head, Aldermaston
Present: Peter and Natalie Brown, Chris Newman, Cynthia Newman, Dave Shirt, Teresa Thomas, Peter Hulme, Beth Ashbury. Janice Dallison, Tony Girling, James Spackman, Read more
Aldermaston History Group
Annual General Meeting
1 November 2023
The Officers Mess, The Hinds Head, Aldermaston
Present: Peter Brown, Peter Hulme, Chris Boott, Jean Chapman, Julia Cox, Gordon Timmins, Chris Newman, Cynthia Newman, Sue Ellis, Nick Ellis, Cathy Read more
Aldermaston History Group
Annual General Meeting
2 November 2022
The Officers Mess, The Hinds Head, Aldermaston
Present: Peter Brown, Peter Hulme, Chris Boott, Jean Chapman, Julia Cox, Chris & Cynthia Newman, Michael Newman, Cathy Jones, David Hard, Clare Read more