Now and then – city comes together to celebrate VE Day
By Richard Storey
Late on May 7, 1945 the BBC interrupted its scheduled broadcasting to report the war in Europe had ended and that the following day, May 8 would be a national holiday and be called Victory in Europe day, or VE Day as it became known.
Lincoln is preparing to celebrate again, along with rest of the country, on Thursday, May 8, 2025 as VE Day marks its 80th anniversary (VE80)
The party begins at 4.30pm in Exchequergate and the finale will be the lighting of a beacon on the walls of Lincoln Castle - an event that will be repeated across Europe.
Back in 1945 many people did not wait for May 8 and spontaneous festivities began soon after the announcement.
Celebrations continued into VE Day itself. In the afternoon Prime Minister Winston Churchill broadcast a speech to the nation and also appeared, to the surprise of the crowd, on the Ministry of Health balcony where he again made an address.
“My dear friends, this is your hour. This is not victory of a party or of any class. It’s a victory of the great British nation as a whole.”
Winston Churchill.
Part of his speech from the Ministry of Health balcony - May 8, 1945
In Lincoln, following the address by the Prime Minister, the Mayor Cllr Harold Bennett) made a formal announcement of the end of the war from the Guildhall to a crowd of thousands in the streets below (pictured above).
At 9pm the King addressed the nation and thousands of people were present on the South Common to hear his words and to see the Mayor light the city’s huge bonfire in celebration of the occasion.
The bonfire stood to a height of 25 feet, and soon after lighting the fresh breeze resulted in the bonfire being visible for miles around - at midnight it was still ablaze.
Service men and women and members of the public paraded the streets between the Guildhall and the Lincoln Midland Station following the King’s address, many singing in groups and dancing.
The Stonebow with the Guildhall above had always been a place where people gathered at times of celebration within the city, the site had been the focal point of the city administration since the year 1237, so it was no surprise that it again became a symbol of togetherness for its citizens.
From 10 pm until the early hours of the May 9 the celebrations continued. Searchlights located at Thornbridge and at the Ritz on the High Street joined two others located uphill in illuminating and dancing across the towers of the cathedral. The search lights were eventually turned off at 1am and when the Illuminated VE sign which had been erected on the South face of the Guildhall was turned off 30 minutes later, the crowds started to disperse, but only until the following evening when even larger crowds danced into the early hours of the following day to gramophone records amplified from speakers outside the Stonebow.
There is a national programme of celebrations, which Lincoln is following, and that have been organised by the King’s Pageant Master Bruno Peek, who has been organising national royal events for more than 40 years - VE80 will be his last.
The beacon lighting ceremony will remember those who died in the war and commemorate the last survivors.
"I've always said the light from the beacons always represents the light of peace that emerged from the dreadful darkness of war," said Mr Peek,
"Let's come together, celebrate and commemorate the millions who sacrificed their lives at home and abroad, so that we enjoy the freedom we do today.”
His last request for VE Day is for the country to come together to sign the hymn I Vow To Thee My Country as beacons are lit.
The celebrations in Lincoln start at 4.30pm in Castle Square - where there will be entertainment from 1940s-style singers and a DJ.
Visitors can browse military stalls including Royal British Legion and Royal Logistic Corp.
The event will be attended by Civic Party and dignitaries, while local businesses have been encouraged to get involved by staying open and decorating their windows by the Bailgate Area Guild.
A special Choral Evensong will be held at Lincoln Cathedral at 5.30pm followed by its bells ringing out across the city at 6.30pm.
The Dean of Lincoln, The Very Rev Dr Simon Jones will read the Tribute before the beacon is lit at 9.30pm.