Wreath-laying ceremony, 1940s-inspired music, afternoon tea and a visit from the Chelsea Pensioners are among the events planned next week

Next week it will be 80 years since the surrender of Nazi Germany and the end of the Second World War in Europe. Six brutal years of war on the continent saw tens of millions killed on both sides.

Tuesday, 8th May 1945 was declared ‘Victory in Europe Day’ – war in Japan would rage for another three months – with huge crowds flocking to Whitehall, Trafalgar Square and The Mall to celebrate Nazi Germany’s surrender. Much like almost every other corner of the country, VE Day was also celebrated across Enfield with spontaneous street parties.

This year a series of events are being planned to commemorate the 80^th anniversary.

Two special services will be hosted by Enfield mayor Mohammad Islam on Thursday, 8th May. The first is at Enfield War Memorial from 9am and the second is a ‘beacon of light’ service at Enfield Civic Centre from 8.45pm. The beacon will represent the ‘light of peace’ that emerged from the dreadful darkness of war. The Royal British Legion has arranged for the Enfield Choral Society to lead a community singsong at the start of the service and when the beacon lighting begins.

In addition, Elizabeth Lodge Care Home in Pennington Drive, Winchmore Hill, is hosting a free celebration event from 1pm with an afternoon of “delicious food, entertainment and dancing” to celebrate the spirit of the 1940s, while Grange Park Methodist Church in Old Park Ridings is hosting an event between 2pm and 4pm with live music from Enfield Brass Band.

At the Elizabeth Lodge event, retired British Army veterans from the Chelsea Pensioners will also present special recognition awards to eight residents who raised more than £800 for the March Dog Walking Challenge for Dementia UK.

Michelle Sampang, home manager at Elizabeth Lodge, added: “We’re always grateful for an opportunity to strengthen our relationships with the community, so we’re looking forward to welcoming people for a special event marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day.”

There will also be events being held before and after the VE Day anniversary itself.

At Dugdale Arts Centre, throughout the whole month of May, various Second World War artefacts from Enfield Museum will be put on display, while on Friday, 9^th May, a ‘Five Star Swing’ event is being held from 2.30pm with famous war-time tunes and sing-along songs brought to life by a live band (tickets are £16).

At Southgate Royal British Legion in Nursery Road, a celebration event is being held on Sunday, 4^th May. The day begins with a service at St Andrew’s Church from 10am, followed by a street party “full of fun, nostalgia, and community spirit” with a bouncy castle, face painting, barbecue, bar, games and live music.

Meanwhile, The Nightingale Cancer Support Centre is hosting a “shared moment of celebration” on Saturday, 10th May, where the charity will celebrate with a traditional English afternoon tea and live music from Southgate Opera, performing classic 1940s songs including the likes of Glenn Miller and Vera Lynn. The event at North Enfield Conservative Club in Baker Street starts at 11am (tickets are £30 and available here).

Chinelo Anyanwu, cabinet member for culture and inclusion at Enfield Council, said: “VE Day is a poignant anniversary and is a time for us to remember and to offer thanks to the millions of men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice for freedom across the United Kingdom and Europe.

“Those who fought abroad and toiled in factories and on farms at home during one of the darkest periods in our history grow fewer each year, so let us make this 80^th anniversary of VE Day an opportunity to thank them, and to pay tribute to the many who are no longer with us.

“Let us gather in the streets, in gardens, in clubs and pubs, in care homes to demonstrate our boundless gratitude to all the men and women who fought and worked for the peace we enjoy today.”

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