80 years on Guildford remembers VE Day
Moving moments during the evening
- people waving Union flags
- singing along as 1940s classic wartime hits and swing tunes were beautifully sung by Emily Martine
- as dusk fell, the crowd waving their lit phones to 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow'
What else took place
The new Deputy Mayor, Cllr Jane Tyson, recalled the events of 80 years ago and said:
"This evening we will light a lamp as a symbol of peace, and ignite a beacon of hope. As we stand shoulder to shoulder let us remember all those who sacrificed their lives for the freedoms we have today and commit to moving forward in the light of that hope and peace."
Col. (Retd) Patrick Crowley MA MBE DL, Dep. Colonel The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment responded on behalf of the regiment and our country's armed forces.
A local veteran, Ian Chatfield, 5th Queens OMA, brought forward the lamplight of peace, as Michael Cochrane read the moving VE Day 80 tribute. Then the beacon was set ablaze to a rousing chorus of 'I vow to thee my country' led by the Vivace Chorus.
In closing, the Leader of the Council, Cllr Julia McShane asked that the crowd:
"Please take a moment tomorrow to reflect on this evening's commemoration, the words of the tribute and how we can all be grateful to a generation who sacrificed so much for our nation, democracy and peace."
VE Day 80 flag-raising ceremony
Earlier in the day, there was a special VE Day 80 flag-raising ceremony held at the Guildhall. Speaking afterwards, the new Mayor of Guildford, Cllr Howard Smith said:
"I will never forget that my first official engagement as Mayor of Guildford was to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day. My father served in WW2 in the RAF and I'm sure he would be very proud.
"To say that I feel honoured to have welcomed local veterans, serving soldiers, cadets, and other invited guests to the Guildhall to raise the VE Day 80 flag is an understatement!"
Published on: 9 May 2025