VE Day events in and around Stoke-on-Trent this week
The 80th anniversary of VE Day is being marked through a host of commemorative events in North Staffordshire this week.
Germany officially surrendered to the Allies on 8 May 1945, and the news was greeted with celebrations across the UK and the world.
Here's the public events taking place in and around Stoke-on-Trent this week.
Fenton VE Day party | Fenton Town Hall | 10 May 12pm-4:30pm
Bring your picnic and chairs and have fun at a VE Day party at Fenton Town Hall on Saturday 10 May.
Enjoy entertainment from Baker Street Belles, DJ Ian Price and Alan Barrett. Live music will play throughout the afternoon. The organisers plan lots of activities for children so it's a day for all ages.
The party runs from 12pm to 4.30pm.
The Lord Mayor will unveil a blue plaque from 11am at Fenton Town Hall in memory of John Grocot, a man from Fenton who was the first in house plastic surgeon outside London and an unsung hero of World War II.
Beacon lighting | Park Hall Country Park | 8 May from 9:15pm
The Lord Mayor, Cllr Lyn Sharpe, will be lighting a beacon at Park Hall Country Park on Thursday.
People are asked to arrive by no later than 9:15pm with the beacon being lit by the Lord Mayor at 9:30pm.
The lighting ceremony has been organised by Cllrs Craig Beardmore and Ross Irving using a contribution from their ward budget to ensure that this event can be open to the public.
Cllrs Beardmore and Irving said: "This event is open to anyone and everyone who is able-bodied and can make the journey on foot to the beacon - the ground is still going to be uneven as it's a country park so please assess your own capability before choosing to come."
VE Day civic service | Stoke Minster | 8 May from 7pm
A civic service will be held to mark VE Day at Stoke Minster from 7pm on Thursday 8 May.
The service is open to anyone and will be attended by the Stoke-on-Trent Lord Mayor, Councillor Lyn Sharpe, fellow councillors, city council staff, and representatives from local organisations and community groups.
Revd Alison Thomas, Interim Minister at Stoke Minster, said: "At this celebration service for the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe, we will remember and honour the sacrifices, courage, and determination of all those who served during the Second World War, as well as those on the Home Front.
"We will celebrate them with pride, remember with sorrow all the casualties of war, and pray for peace in our world today."
VE Day 80 service | St. Giles' Church, Newcastle town centre | 8 May from 8pm
A VE Day 80 service will be held at St. Giles' Church in Newcastle-under-Lyme town centre at 8pm and following the service, the congregation will walk through to Queens Gardens where a beacon will be lit.
Interactive reminiscence session | Brampton Museum | 8 May from 10:30am
Reminisce: Recall and Relive will be led by Kath Reynolds and include multi-sensory experiences to evoke memories and give participants a chance to bond while recalling common experiences. It takes place at 10.30am.
The session will enable people to share experiences, recall treasured memories and spark lively discussion.
Meanwhile a free exhibition, "Victory from Home: How we Helped Win the War," runs at the museum until 16 September and a talk and book signing by Ros Unwin and Jane Pugh- marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day will take place on 10 May.
As well, The Brampton Museum is running two archive film showings will also be held by local film archivist and documentary film maker Ray Johnson - find out more here.
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Image of Brampton Museum & Art Gallery via Geograph, John M
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