Witney Town Council is delighted to announce its commemorations for this year’s 80th Anniversary of VE Day.
Plans across the day include an official cry by the Town Crier at 9am, through to the culmination of the day at 7pm with a brief service, the lighting of a lamp of peace and a National tribute read by our newly elected Mayor.
The day also includes two afternoon tea sittings with a 1940s styled musical performance from the Candy Girls singing trio (ticketed) in the café bar of the Corn Exchange.
Once the market has cleared away just after 5pm we will be setting up tables in the square for a pop-up, bring your own picnic, street party. Please feel free to come in 1940s costume if you would like to get fully into the spirit and join in with dancing and singing.
If you have any photographs or memorabilia connected to the time that you would like to share please let us know If you are bringing it along as BBC South will be filming and broadcasting live on the day. They would love to interview some people if they have time.
From 6pm till 7pm our Town Band will be playing a selection of war time music.
Just before the official ringing of bells at 6:30 Councillor Owen Collins will be coordinating a Mexican wave of bells along Church Green. Everyone is invited to join in with this and bring a bell to help make the biggest celebratory noise we can. Bring any bell you have from hand bells to bicycle bells, they all count and you don’t need to be a professional ringer!
At 7pm the service will bring official commemorations to a close. There will be a performance of ‘How Can I keep from Singing?’ by WOAPA who will also lead those gathered in singing together ‘I Vow to Thee My Country’. Cllr Owen Collins will read a passage from Around the Square by Phyllis Ransome which recalls the original VE Day celebrations that took place in the Market Square in 1945.
Our new Mayor will finish the service by reading the National Tribute.
The party continues with Open Mic night from 8pm.
Please join us for some or all of our events bring a bell, bring a picnic, dress in 1940s style, bring your memorabilia, bring your best voice and your dancing feet and help us commemorate this amazing day of celebration and gratitude.
