South Holland District Council encouraging residents to commemorate VE Day this year

Residents across the District are encouraged to organise and to join in with local celebrations and festivities, including picnics and street parties, commemorating the 80^th anniversary of VE Day on the May Bank Holiday.

Local communities can join the nationwide Great British Food Festival on Monday 5 May by holding street parties, cooking up a BBQ or fry up with your neighbours, hosting a curry night, or organising a Big Lunch extravaganza.

The Great British Food Festival will bring together residents, our armed forces, veterans, and visitors to celebrate our rich culinary and cultural history, whilst also honouring the sacrifices and triumphs of the nation’s veterans during the Second World War.

See below some events that are happening within the district:

• Gosberton Risegate - St Gilbert & St Hugh Church Hall – Saturday 3 May 5pm – Buffet, refreshments, and entertainment, £12 a ticket

• Pinchbeck Community Hub - Monday 5 May from midday onwards, Music, Fun and games, food and soft drinks.

• Moulton – Lantern parade and lighting of the beacon, Thursday 8 May.

• Holbeach PC - Carters Park Thursday 8 May from 5pm to 10pm. Lighting of the Beacon and lamps of peace along with music, cake stall, hot food etc.

• Crowland PC - Snowden Field, Saturday 10 May, 2pm to 10pm, Live Music, dancing, tea, cakes, kids activities and games.

• Fleet- Lawns and Lakes Caravan and Camping site, Saturday 10 May, 7.30pm, Live music, supper included, £10 a ticket.

• Holbeach - WI Hall, Park Road PE12 7EE – Thursday 8 May 10am to 1pm tickets £10, Games/music/street party buffet.

• Tydd St Mary Playing Field – Thursday 8 May 2025 3pm to 11pm, flag raising and ringing of the bells.

South Holland District Council will be raising the flag at 11am outside the council offices at Priory Road, along with a group of veterans. Any members of the public are welcome to come and attend.

A spokesperson from South Holland District Council said: “Whether it's a street or garden party, we’re inviting everyone to come together for the Great British Food Festival for a day of fun, food, and to honour the veterans who ensured we could live peacefully today.

“VE Day is a significant occasion for our nation and the 80th anniversary gives us a unique opportunity to bring all of our residents together to reflect on, and to celebrate our shared history.”

CEO of the Together Coalition, Jon Knight, said: “VE Day is perhaps the most formative single moment in shaping the collective image we have of ourselves as people and as nations.

“That is why we’re encouraging all communities to come together and celebrate our shared history.”

To organise a street party in Lincolnshire that involves road closures, you'll need to apply for permission from Lincolnshire County Council, which you can find here https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/traffic-management/register-event-affecting-highway

VE Day is a day of remembrance that commemorates Germany’s surrender to the Allies, marking the end of World War II. For more information or to get involved visit https://ve80.com/

For the latest updates, follow South Holland District Council on Facebook and join the conversation using #VE80.