VE Day anniversary celebrations planned

The national celebration for Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) 75, will cover the weekend of 8 to 10 May, with the early May Bank Holiday in 2020 moving from Monday 4 May to Friday 8 May to enable an international celebration of peace, remembrance and reflection.

Proposals are underway for a celebratory event in Market Harborough town centre on 8 May 2020 with the possibility of other commemorative events being held across the district. This may include participation in special national events such as The Nation's Toast, where over 20,000 pubs will encourage patrons to raise a glass to the Heroes of World War II, and the ringing of church bells for peace.

The Council is also exploring the possibility of what could be done to mark 75 years of Victory over Japan Day in August 2020.

Cllr Phil King, Leader of Harborough District Council, said: “It is absolutely fitting that we acknowledge and come together as a community to commemorate the 75 years since VE Day. We are looking forward to working closely with the Harborough at War team, the Royal British Legion, town and parish councils, schools, businesses, and the public, to deliver a celebratory event across the Harborough district to commemorate this significant occasion.”