Sutton Benger Remembers: VE80 – Save The Date The 8th of May 2025 marks the celebration of the 80th Anniversary of VE Day which marked the end of the war in Europe. We’re asking you to ‘save the date’ – and join us, alongside towns and parishes across the UK – for a four-day festival (8th-11th May), and a very special ‘shared moment of celebration’.

What you can expect The national theme of VE80 is very much focused on ’Shared Celebration’ – and this has guided our programme for the celebrations.  Right now, a team of volunteers (many of whom are serving or retired military personnel) are working hard to prepare a schedule of activities and events that are designed to suit people of all ages.

Thursday 8th May 2025 9am – Flag Raising at the school and then followed by a flag-raising ceremony at the Church. (Open to all). 12.30am to 1.30pm  – Special themed lunchtime event, Sutton Benger All Saints Church. (Donations for drinks only) 2.00pm to 4.00pm  – Themed Time for Tea, Sutton Benger All Saints Church. (Donations for drinks only) 7pm – History themed entertainment in the Village Hall – including Military Wives Choir. (Ticketed event) 9.30pm – 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. (Open to all)

Friday 9th May 2025:

7.45 pm – 1940’s themed dance at the Village Hall with a Swing Band. (Ticketed event)

Saturday 10th May 2025

Lunchtime – Family picnic event on the REC with Military guests and loads of exciting attractions. (Open to all)

Sunday 11th May 2025:

Church service at All Saints, Sutton Benger, with a VE80 theme. (Open to all)

How to get involved?  We’d love to see as many of you at our events as possible. Sutton Benger has a fantastic reputation for delivering large-scale, brilliantly organised public events – and VE80 is no exception. We have deliberately organised the celebrations to include both ticketed – and non-ticketed – events. We want to open things up to as many of you as possible. To make sure this happens, we are working closely with the School, Benger Bears, FOSBS, the Church PCC, the WI and the Over 60s Club – and other stakeholders – to bring together a wide range of age-groups and local stakeholders. As you’d expect – we will need plenty of help from volunteers. If you’re able to help out in any way – large or small – please drop an email to Parish Council Chairman Adam Carwardine. He’ll be pleased to hear from you. Email Adam at:  carwardine.adam@gmail.com

Where will profits go?  Ticketed events are designed to be ‘not-for-profit’. These celebrations are designed to provide the Parish with access to entertainment and community events. Any excess funds will be donated to a military charity (details of which are yet to be agreed by the organising committee). We are grateful to the Parish Council for their foundational funds and support.

How can I buy tickets & what do they cost? We will be finalising the details, timings and access to tickets over the next few weeks – so keep an eye on village social media groups and poster sites etc.

Where can I find out more? We will be working hard to keep you aware of all the details you’ll need.  Keep an eye on future issues of the Parish Magazine, the village Facebook groups and posters in the village hall and Parish noticeboards. If you have any questions, you’re welcome to drop our Chairman an email. Email Adam at:  carwardine.adam@gmail.com