Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge Town Council had a busy day of events on Thursday 8th May to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
It all started at 9am with Town Councillors, MP and local residents attending the official VE Day proclamation reading by the Town Crier at the flag pole at the junction of Pier Street and Old Station Road. This was followed by a raising of the Union flag in Highbridge outside the Community Centre and in Burnham-on-Sea.
At 2.30pm an indoor Street Party took place at the Princess Theatre and Arts Centre. This included a VE Day themed quiz with prizes, followed by entertainment from The Princess Community Choir and a Street Party themed buffet. The Assistant Theatre Manager also sang a wonderful rendition of “We’ll Meet Again”.
Cllr Sharon Perry, Mayor of Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge opened the event with the following speech;
“Good afternoon everyone and welcome to our VE Day celebrations. As we look back to 8th May 1945, we can only imagine the immense relief that was felt when it was announced that Victory in Europe had been secured and that active military operations there had ceased. We’ve all seen photos of people celebrating and need first-hand accounts of the mixture of emotions they experienced as they contemplated a new era of peace.
In commemorating this occasion, we remember their efforts and sacrifices which enable us to all enjoy the peace we have today.
I would like to thank all those at the Princess Theatre today who have worked hard to capture that feeling of exhilaration and relief at the news that the war had ended. I am sure we will have a very enjoyable afternoon”.
At 9.20pm by the jetty on the seafront at Burnham-on-Sea, a tribute was read by Cllr Sharon Perry, Mayor of Burnham-on-Sea & Highbridge.
This was followed at 9.30pm by the lighting of the VE 80 commemorative beacon by the jetty on the seafront.
