Sutton Benger Remembers:
Thursday the 8th of May 2025 is the 80th Anniversary of the Victory in Europe (VE80) which marked the end of the war in Europe.
What you can expect
The national theme of VE80 is focused on ’Shared Celebration’ and this has guided our local programme ofcelebrations. Please do get involved and attend these events for your enjoyment and to celebrate together as a community.
Thursday 8th May
9am – A military flag raising ceremony at Sutton Benger Primary School
A proclamation being read by Revd Suzanne Grindrod
(Open to all to attend)
9.15am to 2.30pm – Group sessions in the school to provide the children with VE80, military and history insights.
(Organised by the school for the school children)
12 noon – A military flag raising ceremony at All Saints Church Sutton Benger
A proclamation being read by Dawn Beresford
(Open to all to attend)
12.30am to 1.30pm – A special “Time for Tea” team organised lunchtime event, at All Saints Church Sutton Benger.
Come and socialise with friends and neighbours with a soup and roll lunch (Donations for food and drinks only)
(Open to all to attend)
2.00pm to 4.00pm – Time for Tea, VE80 themed, at All Saints Church Sutton Benger. (Donations for drinks only)
(Open to all to attend)
7pm – VE80 themed historical entertainment in the Village Hall, including a Military Wives Choir.
(Ticketed event at £5.00 per person including a buffet supper, pay bar available. Tickets bought from The Wellesley Pub and Christian Malford Post office, limited numbers, please book your place early)
9.30 pm – Lighting of the Peace Beacon. We will join towns and parishes across the county by lighting a Beacon of Peace in the Recreation Ground at 9.30pm.
Please plan to arrive from 9pm to enjoy Our Military Wives Choir singing “I vow to thee my Country” and the reading of the Tribute.
Watch out for the special visual surprise.
(Open to all)
Friday 9th May
7.45 pm – 1940’s themed dance at the Village Hall with a 12 piece Swing Band. Get those dancing shoes on!
(Ticketed event at £5.00 per person, no food provided but pay bar available. Tickets bought from The Wellesley Pub and Christian Malford Post office, limited numbers, please book your place early)
Saturday 10th May
12 noon to 5pm- Family picnic event on the REC in Sutton Benger with Military guests and loads of exciting attractions.
Please plan to bring a picnic with you or enjoy food from the food service vans on site, relax and stay for the afternoon, there is a pay bar available.
9 Regiment from Buckley barracks
REME Museum Lyneham displays
Army Cadets
Chippenham Scouts and Cubs
Military Vehicles
Historic Tractors
More attractions being added all the time
Hot food service vans
Face painting for the children
Balloon artist for the children
(Open to all in the Parish and free to attend)
Sunday 11th May:
10.30am – Church service at All Saints Church Sutton Benger, remembering and celebrating VE80.
(All welcome)
Funding Sources.
We would like to thank The Parish Council, The Church Piece fund and BArts for proving the funding for these events.
The Village Hall have provided their facilities free from charge to help facilitate the events and keep costs down. All the helpers have given their time willingly as volunteers.
These celebrations are designed to provide the Parish with access to shared celebration, entertainment and community events. Ticketed events are designed to be ‘not-for-profit’ and to manage numbers within the Village Hall. Any excess funds will be donated to The Royal British Legion charity.
Thank you.
Many thanks to the dedicated volunteers from The Parish Council, School, Village Hall, Church, Time for Tea team, Over 60’s, serving and retired military personnel who helped create these events for our community. Many others have helped with the installations, build and break services, stewarding etc. including Pete Oldale and Pete Collier-Marsh.
People who deserve particular thanks who have attended our committee meetings, planned and delivered these events for the community, include: Daniel Errington, Cameron Chapman, Phil Llewellyn, Mark Ellis, Iain Craig, Rod Williams, Jo Watchman and Chris Pope. Particular Thanks to Anna Strawson of AJS Graphics for the design services.
For more information or comments:
Please get in touch with
Adam Carwardine
chair@suttonbengerparishcouncil.gov.uk