VE DAY CELEBRATIONS: Are you taking part?
Scores of our churches will be ringing their bells at 11am on Saturday May 9 in a shared single act of remembrance across the country to mark the anniversary of VE Day.
It is 70 years since peace broke out in 1945 and the ringing of church bells has long been part of marking the moment and this is an opportunity to be part of this national event when together we remember all those who gave their lives for our todays.
Resources have just been released by Westminster Abbey to help churches shape their services over the anniversary weekend:
Service of Thanksgiving to mark the 70th Anniversary of VE Day
And there will be a number of Government-led events including parades and the lighting of beacons up and down the country over the weekend of May 8-10th. FInd out more about how you and your community can get involved here: www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/ve-day-70th-anniversary
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On Friday, May 8, there will be a two-minute silence across the country at 3pm, the moment in 1945 when Winston Churchill declared an end to war in Europe. In the evening, members of Kirklees Council in Huddersfield will be lighting a beacon on Castle Hill at 9.30pm as part of a chain of beacons stretching from Newcastle to Cornwall being lit to celebrate the anniversary.
A second beacon will be lit at the Cliff recreation ground in Holmfirth.
On May 9, communities are encouraged to organise street parties and churches and cathedrals are asked to ring their bells at 11am, as they did in 1945. A 1940s themed concert held on Horse Guards Parade on Saturday night will be broadcast on BBC One.
In Huddersfield, St Peter's Church will hold a VE Commemoration Service which will attended by the Mayor of Kirklees, Coun Ken Smith and members of the Huddersfield and District Army Veterans Association with the Bishop of Huddersfield, the Rt Revd Dr Jonathan Gibbs. The vicar of Huddersfield, Revd Simon Moor has penned a special verse for the service.
Nationally, there will be a service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey on May 10, followed by a parade of Armed Forces personnel and veterans, who will march past the balcony of the Treasury in Whitehall where Churchill made his famous appearance in front of the crowds on VE Day. The service from Westminster will be broadcast live by the BBC.
Please let me know how your church or your church community plans to mark this important day . You can email me at jane.bower@westyorkshiredales.anglican.org