Frome will come together to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day next month with a series of community events commemorating the end of fighting in Europe during the Second World War.
Events begin on Sunday 4th May with a Frome Town Band concert in Victoria Park. Residents are encouraged to bring picnics and enjoy an afternoon of music.
On Thursday 8th May – the official VE Day – there will be a ‘Songs and Scones’ event at the Memorial Theatre, a procession to St John’s Church re-enacting the parade of 8th May 1945, and a thanksgiving service using the original Victory Order of Service.
Running from now until August – to coincide with VJ Day, when Japan formally surrendered to the Allied forces, officially ending the Second World War – residents are encouraged to make red, white and blue bunting, which can be dropped off at Frome Town Hall between 10am and 3pm.
Concert in the Park – Sunday 4th May
The Frome Town Band concert in Victoria Park will feature music commemorating VE Day.
“Bring a picnic and enjoy music across the decades, including the 1940s, from 2pm to 4pm,” says Royal British Legion Remembrance coordinator Jane Norris.
VE Day – Thursday 8th May
At 2.45pm, residents are invited to gather at the Frome Memorial Theatre where local resident Michael Knight, whose father served in the Second World War, will be showcasing his World War II Jeep.
At 3pm, a recording of Winston Churchill’s iconic 1945 VE Day speech will be played, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the war memorial. The tribute will conclude with King George VI’s speech to the nation.
At 3.15pm, a 1940s-themed ‘Songs and Scones’ event will take place either in the Memorial Garden or Assembly Rooms, depending on the weather. Jane Norris said, “1940s-style dress is optional, but encouraged!”
At 5pm, gather once again at the war memorial for an informal parade to St John’s Church, re-enacting the historic procession from 8th May 1945. The parade will be led by Michael Knight’s jeep.
A thanksgiving service will also take place at St John’s Church on Bath Street. The service will begin at 5.30pm and will follow the Victory Order of Service from 8th May 1945.
At 6.30pm, the bells of St John’s Church – along with church bells across the nation – will ring out in commemoration.
The day will conclude with a national beacon lighting at 9.30pm, a ceremony taking place at locations across the country. In Somerset, the beacon lighting will take place in Wells, Taunton and Shepton Mallet.
Further details about VJ Day events in August and Frome’s Remembrance events in November will be announced soon.
Pictured L-R: Kevin Ross (who was involved with script writing for forthcoming Frome Remembrance event); Jane Norris, RBL Remembrance coordinator; Alan Cambell, veteran and audio/visual recorder; David Lassman, Frome Society for Local Study chair and Frome historian and author
