This year marks the 80th anniversary of VE Day, which will see the nation unite to commemorate 80 years since the end of World War II in Europe, on 8 May 1945.
VE Day 80 is not only a tribute to those who fought for freedom but also a powerful reminder of the resilience and unity that have defined our country ever since.
Chelmsford For You is proud to announce their VE Day 80 Commemoration Event on Monday 5 May, a free family-friendly event exploring Chelmsford’s rich World War II history.
Chelmsford For You will be holding a Commemoration Event, sponsored by Chelmsford City Council, in the heart of the city centre from 10am to 5pm and welcomes the whole community to attend. The day promises an engaging mix of educational displays and immersive attractions that will bring the stories of wartime Chelmsford to life.
You can now download the full event programme and timetable at www.chelmsfordforyou.co.uk/chelmsford-ve-day
Please see below the details of each individual element:
🔴 VE 80 Main Stage
A packed programme of WWII and 40s themed entertainment, including Winston Churchill reading out his famous speeches, poems from local students, veteran interviews, and chat with Paddy Maine’s family member. Plus, there is fabulous music throughout the day from an award-winning Vera Lynn tribute Act, 40s themed female trio, The Bombshells, and Salvation Army performing the Last Post.
🔵 Chelmsford During WWII Exhibition
A one-off pop-up exhibition telling the story of Chelmsford during the Second World War, with displays from the Essex Record Office, the Hylands Estate, Chelmsford Museum, Anglia Ruskin University, and St Mary’s Church, Broomfield. Together, the displays chart the course of the war from 1939 to 1945 through historic maps, photographs, newspapers and archive recordings.
⚪ WWII Spitfire
Get up close to our full-size replica Spitfire – the iconic fighter plane of WWII.
🔴 WWII Military vehicles
A collection of authentic WWII military vehicles preserved as a testament to those who fought in them and called them home during the conflict. The display brings life, context and understanding of what the soldiers had to endure during those times.
🔵 Post War vehicles
Although the event is focused on WWII, there is an area allocated to post-war which showcases military vehicles from the era after winning the peace, up to the time of the cold-war.
⚪ WWII Talks at Chelmsford Cathedral
Talk One: Chelmsford in the Second World War
Engaging talk featuring the personal stories of local people who experienced the Second World War in Chelmsford drawn from the archives of Essex Record Office.
Speaker: Dr Catherine Pearson, Anglia Ruskin University
Start time: 2.45pm
Length: 45 mins
Talk Two: Rosemary Rutherford – An Extraordinary Artist
A glimpse into the artistry and life of this caring person of great talent who 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.
Speaker: Rosalind Mercer
Start time: 3.45pm
Length: 40 mins
🔴 1940s Walking Tour
A guided stroll recreating a shopping experience in the High Street in May 1945, and upon reaching Tindal Square, how the local people were celebrating this monumental day.
Meeting point: Stone Bridge
Start times: 10.45am, 12pm and 1.15pm
Length: 45 mins
🔵Chelmsford Silver Band
Traditional brass band performing wartime themed music.
Times: 1-1.30pm, 2–2.30pm
⚪ A look at WWII with the Museum of Chelmsford
Join the Museum of Chelmsford as they showcase a variety of real and replica WWII artifacts for you to discover. Plus, they’ll be bringing along their dress-up box for those photo opportunities.
🔴 WWII Stories with First Buses
Step on-board the vintage Routemaster provided by our partners at First Bus and join local storyteller, Mike Dodsworth, for stories around the globe. You’ll celebrate VE Day 80 as you travel around the world with a host of global tales, suitable for all the family.
Start times: 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30 & 3:30
Length: Approx. 20mins
🔵 Union Flag Arts & Crafts
Pop along to our VE Day 80 workshops where you can create crafts based around the Union Flag. Plus, help us create our community commemorative VE Day Bee for the upcoming ‘Buzz in the City’ Trail
⚪ VE Day 80 Face Painting
Bringing the vibes of a street party to the city centre, join our face painters adding to the celebrations.
🔴 Afternoon Cream Tea Bus
Bringing those Street Party vibes, our friends from Tiptree Tearooms will be parking up their stunning converted vintage red double-decker bus, serving up delicious cream teams all day long.
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This event is being organised by Chelmsford For You and sponsored by Chelmsford City Council alongside a range of partners, including:
Essex Record Office, Historical Military Vehicle Association, Blesma, Chelmsford City Council, Essex County Council, Anglia Ruskin University, Museum of Chelmsford, Hylands Estate, The Salvation Army, Tiptree, First Bus, Spark!, Chelmsford Cathedral and Chelmsford Market.
Also check out other Entertainment events in Chelmsford, Arts events in Chelmsford, Workshops in Chelmsford.
