Dudley borough marking VE Day 80
People from across Dudley borough are marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day, when German forces surrendered to Allied powers.
Yesterday the Mayor of Dudley laid a wreath at Dudley town centre’s Coronation Gardens and today she is joining celebrations at four borough care homes.
Street parties are planned on seven borough streets today, with Dudley Council having waived fees for small road closures.
The friends of Dudley archives and local history service have arranged a week of events for VE Day including an exhibition which runs until Saturday 10 May from 10am to 4pm.
At Dudley Council House the Union Jack flag will be flown throughout today, with the building to be lit up this evening. Council staff also observed a two-minute silence at noon and there will be a Beacon Lighting at Dudley Zoo tonight.
Councillor Hilary Bills, Mayor of Dudley, said:
“It is hard to believe it has been 80 years since VE Day, and it has been a real privilege to speak to some of the residents at Ridgeway Care Home who still remember the events of that day.
“Those of us who are fortunate enough to have known people who had lives directly impacted by the war have a duty to tell the younger generations about the sacrifices they made, so that we may live our lives as we do now.
“As a council, we felt it was very important for us to support small street parties across the borough, and I am delighted to hear that communities are coming together to mark VE Day 80 today.”