Many of our parishes, worshipping communities and schools will be planning special activities, events and services to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE Day) on 8 May.
On this page
Events will offer an opportunity for reflection, remembrance, and a renewed commitment to peace, echoing the spirit of unity that defined the end of the Second World War in Europe.
Bell Ringing
A key element of the VE Day commemoration will be the ringing of church bells at 6.30pm on VE Day. Echoing the sounds that swept across the country in 1945, churches and cathedrals are invited to ring their bells as a collective act of thanksgiving. Find out more here.
Resources
Worship and prayer resources from the Church of England
The Church of England has createed worship materials and prayer resources for VE Day which can be found here.
Government Resources
The VE and VJ Day 80 Government Toolkit contains branding resources including logos and will grow to incorporate bunting templates, activity sheets and more. It is open to any organisation or individual to use in conjunction with activities or events relating to the VE Day 80 commemoration.
Resources to help with event planning
Ecclesiastical Insurance have a range of resources and guidance notes to support parishes with the planning VE day events.
Commemorating VE Day at Chelmsford Cathedral
Chelmsford Cathedral are hosting a range of events including historical talks, to commerate the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
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Chelmsford in the Second World War - Monday 5th May, 2:45pm - 3:30pm
Dr Catherine Pearson, Anglia Ruskin University, gives an engaging and fascinating talk featuring the personal stories of local people who experienced the Second World War in Chelmsford, drawn from the archives of Essex Record Office. This talk is in collaboration with Chelmsford For You.
Find out more here.
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Rosemary Rutherford - an Extraordinary Artist - Monday 5th May, 3:45pm - 4:25pm
Rosalind Mercer gives us a glimpse into the artistry of this quiet, serene and caring person of great talent. Compelled to sketch, paint and create, her works convey the whole complex of human experience especially of the war years where she helped her father house evacuee families in Broomfield and travelled around local army camps and ship building yards serving as a VAD nurse in naval psychiatric hospitals. Her main works are in stained glass and are distinguished by her flair for flowing design and intricate detail. She painted religious scenes and service life, but according to her brother, was happiest when painting flowers. This event is in collaboration with Chelmsford For You.
Find out more here.
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VE Day Bell Peal - Thursday 8th May, 6:30pm - 7:00pm
Cathedral bell ringers will join a national peal across the country to Ring Out in Celebration at 6.30pm on May 8th, just as the bells rang out on the same day back in 1945.
Find out more here.
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VE Day Service - Friday 9th May, 5:15pm - 6:00pm
A special choral service celebrating VE Day with the Royal British Legion, Essex Yeomanry and Civic Representatives from across the county.
Find out more here.
To find out more about events being held at the Cathedral, visit the Chelmsford Cathedral website.
The Not Forgotten Charity: VE Day Charity Single - request for choirs to get involved
80s pop icon and singer songwriter Matt Goss has written and recorded a song for VE Day for the veterans charity Not Forgotten, for whom Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal is Patron. The charity is encouraging church, community and school choirs to perform the song as part of their own community VE Day celebrations. To find out more and access music resources, please click here
Share your VE Day photos with us
We would love to see photos of churches' celebrations. Please share them with us by tagging @chelmsdio on social media. You can also upload your photos to the ‘Life across our Diocese’ section of our website or email them directly to us on web@chelmsford.anglican.org.