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VE Day 80 marked in Ilkley

Friday, 9 May 2025 08:19

Ilkley residents mark VE Day 80

Ilkley marked the 80th anniversary of VE Day with a programme of events to commemorate the end of fighting in Europe in World War Two.

Events started at 6.30pm with bell-ringing at All Saints Church by the Ilkley Bellringers.

From 7pm attention turned to Ilkley Bandstand on The Grove, where local band Jump, Jive and Wail created a carnival atmosphere with singing and dancing.

(Jump, Jive and Wail performing on Ilkley Bandstand)

Crowds then moved to the Ilkley Memorial Gardens where MC Anne Hawkesworth spoke of Mrs Pam Rae, an Ilkley resident and proud veteran who turns 100 this year, and introduced music from the Two Rivers Band and the RAF Air Cadets 1224 (Wharfedale) Squadron.

The VE Day 80 Proclamation was read by Ilkley Town Crier, Isabel Ashman.

Ilkley Town Mayor, Councillor Damian Kearns, and representative of the Mayor of Coutances, Councillor Didier Lefèvre, both spoke and shook hands as a sign of friendship between the two towns.

(Ilkley Town Mayor, Cllr Damian Kearns, representative of the Mayor of Coutances, Cllr Didier Lefèvre and Ilkley Town Crier)

The Minister’s address was given by Rector Fr David Pickett from the Ilkley Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club.

Residents joined in a selection of Vera Lynn songs before the The Tribute read by Deputy Lieutenant Stephen Boardman and lighting of the beacon at 9.30pm

The evening ended with singing I Vow To Thee, My Country and the national anthem.

(Anne Hawkesworth was the master of ceremony for the evening)

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