Across the United Kingdom and the world, commemorations will be taking place to mark the 80th anniversary of this momentous moment and Sidmouth, like many towns will be holding a number of events during the day to mark this commemoration culminating in the lighting of a Beacon that evening. All residents and visitors are invited to attend to help remember those that served and continue to serve for a more peaceful world.
Events in the Sidmouth town centre begin at 10.45am, with a short procession of veterans and standards from the market place to the War Memorial where a brief Act of Remembrance for those that fought throughout the conflict will take place.
A National Two-minute Silence will be observed at noon.
At 5.30pm the bells will ring out from Sidmouth Parish Church together with church bells across the country, to signify the 80 years since the momentous end of the war 80 years ago.
Then, taking place at York Steps on the Esplanade over our own beach, the main Sidmouth commemoration will take place. This will begin with music from Sidmouth Town Band at 8.30pm.
At 9.00pm the Town’s Royal Standard, together with other Standards and Veteran and Service groups will process from the Market Place to York Steps ahead of the commemoration service around the York Steps Beacon.
As the sun sets and the evening commemorations draws to a close, the lighting of the town beacon signifying a ‘Lamp for Peace’ will be undertaken by the Chair of Sidmouth Town Council at 9.30pm. Such beacons will be lit across the country to signify the light that emerged from the dreadful darkness of war and the celebrations for Victory over Japan and the end of the Second World War.
