This year’s 80th anniversaries of Victory in Europe (VE Day on 8 May) and the ultimate end of the Second World War, Victory in Japan (VJ Day on 15 August) are opportunities to share stories of the Second World War generation.
Four days of events and celebrations, 5 to 8 May, start with a national push for street parties and community get-togethers to be staged on 5 May Bank Holiday Monday.
For the first time locally community groups can request grants of up to £500 each towards costs of events and activities commemorating and celebrating VE and VJ Days in North Kesteven. Deadlines to apply are 14 April and 21 July – see below.
The Government has created a dedicated interactive website with latest information and ways to get involved. This includes downloadable bunting and flag templates, guidance on organising a street party or Big Lunch, official logos and links to key organisations.
There will be an emphasis on the 80th anniversaries at the council’s Armed Forces celebrations on 23 June. Ex-Forces personnel who have not yet received their Veterans’ Badge can apply to have it presented at a special lunch – see below.
For all of this be sure to join the national and local conversation on social media with the hashtags #VE80, #VJ80, #Victory80 and #VE80NK
Community and voluntary groups, charities and social enterprises can apply for up to £500 each to deliver local events relating to VE or VJ Day that benefit communities. They should have financial resources below £10,000.
This fund closes to applications for VE Day events on 14 April and 21 July for VJ Day events. Early application is advised. See our funding page for eligibility criteria and an application form.
Funded activity must take place within a week either side of 8 May or 15 August and be of benefit to North Kesteven residents.
Eligible costs include venue hire, promotional materials, decorations, and entertainment and the purchase of refreshments, but not alcohol, commemorative benches or structures.
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In addition, the National Lottery Community Fund Awards For All programme is available for organisations to bid for grants to host events, activities and projects to mark VE Day.
Already, events are being arranged across the District to mark VE Day, and running through the summer beyond VJ Day.
There are local listings at www.heartoflincs.com
Regularly updated, if you are arranging an event and want to promote it, please email details to heartoflincs@n-kesteven.gov.uk
See too the 2025 Visitor Guide.
- Cranwell Aviation Heritage Museum exhibition on women in RAF service and a vintage tea on Saturday, 10 May.
- Lincolnshire Road Transport Museum, North Hykeham, will run a bus on 8 May, bedecked in flags and bunting reminiscent of local buses from the victory era in 1945.
- Sleaford’s annual 1940’s day on Saturday, 28 June, 11am to 4pm, at the William Alvey School.
- International Bomber Command Centre, Canwick, sculpture installation celebrating women in war all summer, and Salute to the 1940s on 9 and 10 August.
- Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre has a weekend of activity on 21 and 22 June.
Organisers of events are asked to complete the NK event notification form.
Chairman
The Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the council would be pleased to attend any community activity, if they can.
Invitations for them to attend any activities can be made at www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/chairman
“VE Day 80 is a wonderful opportunity to come together in celebration of what we have in common, and to use the occasion to reach out to neighbours, friends and our wider communities,” said the Chairman. “The 75th anniversary was overshadowed by the Covid pandemic and necessary restrictions that kept us apart and so I truly hope that on this occasion people will come together on our lovely village greens and playing fields, in churches, schools, village halls and streets to pay tribute to all those who served in the Second World War, to reflect on the values that they were fighting for and to collaborate in joyful celebration of everything they secured through victory.
Street parties
At least four weeks’ notice are needed by Lincolnshire County Council for a street closure to facilitate a street party.
On a no-through road, closed cul-de-sac or similar location, with the agreement of neighbours you might be able to arrange something, but best to check.
There’s a lot of ideas for a get together on the VE and VJ Day page at GOV.UK.
GOV.UK also have updated guidance on how to organise a street party.
Organisers of street parties are asked to complete the NK event notification form at: Community events | North Kesteven District Council
Flying the flag for veterans
There are many places to buy flags, bunting and commemorative items, but to maximise the benefit try Royal British Legion Industries where goods are made by veterans and profits support veterans and those with disabilities.
Photo Flashbacks
Do you have any photos of any local VE Day activity in 1945 or in the intervening years, maybe of the 50th anniversary in 1995 or the 75th in 2020. Or even film! Sharing these will set the scene. Please email communications@n-kesteven.gov.uk
Armed Forces Day
NKDC champions the role of everyone who contributes to HM Forces through its Armed Forces Day activity in June. On Monday, 23 June there’ll be a public flag-raising in Sleaford Market Place at 10.30am. Later veterans will be celebrated and presented with badges in recognition of their service, with a special focus on the 80th anniversaries.
Badges are presented to anyone who has served in the British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force or Merchant Navy at any time and for any duration, as regular, reservist or on National Service, To apply for yourself or someone else, email Armedforces@n-kesteven.gov.uk before Friday, 16 May.
A particular emphasis will be given to honouring any WW2 veterans who live in Lincolnshire, If you are connected with a WW2 veteran who might appreciate an invitation, call 01529 414155 or email Armedforces@n-kesteven.gov.uk to discuss arrangements.
Tip Top Towns
The Tip Top Towns programme encourages communities of any size to get together ahead of 5 May. to get in the VE Day spirit by making decorations, planting flowers, encouraging children to draw pictures for their windows or hosting arts and craft sessions. See and submit entries on the GOV.UK website.
Beacons and Lights of Peace
In keeping with recent landmark events, Royal Jubilees and the Coronation there is a move for community beacons and Lamp Lights of Peace to be lit at 9.30pm on 8 May.
Also at 6.30pm for church bells to ruing out in a united celebration of peace.
If you are holding any of these events locally, share details on the Heart of Lincs website or by emailing heartoflincs@n-kesteven.gov.uk.
North Kesteven Airfield Trail
In marking the 80th Anniversary of VE Day, the significance of North Kesteven’s contribution to the Allied victory comes sharply into focus and so, if you’ve not done so before, what better excuse to explore the North Kesteven Airfield Trail.
This legacy is reflected in the many aviation heritage sites across the District. From tales of the iconic figures who passed through RAF College Cranwell at Cranwell Aviation Heritage Museum to the moving stories captured at the International Bomber Command Centre, the North Kesteven Airfield Trail offers a chance to explore this rich history. Pick up Airfield Trail booklets at locations across the District, or on Heart of Lincs.
Letters to Loves Ones
There is a nationwide call for families to share their own Second World War stories through the letters exchanged by ancestors and relatives during the war.
As well as bringing to light first-hand testimonies of soldiers on the front line, men, women and children on the home front, or relatives who contributed to Britain’s war effort from the British Empire and Commonwealth countries, if shared through the Imperial War Museums’ Letters to Loved Ones campaign by 14 April, they may become part of a performance on May 7 at IWM North.
For a flavour of the four days of national activity see
Commemorations will kick off on Bank Holiday Monday, 5 May, with the Cenotaph dressed in Union flags, a Military procession and a flypast in London.
- Street parties will be held across the country and a ceremony on HMS Belfast will kick off community celebrations.
- 8 May will see a service of remembrance and thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey followed by a concert.
- In August there will be Service planned to mark VJ Day and the end of the war in the Far East in August.
