VE80: Plans to mark VE Day

Victory in Europe Day on May 8th will mark 80 years since Germany surrendered and Winston Churchill announced an end to the fighting in Europe. ‘VE80’ will be marked by a number of special events in Warwick.

May 7th: The Fusilier Museum based in Pageant House will be working with Westgate Primary School on a project to celebrate the achievements of local hero Field Marshal Montgomery. The students can meet the commander himself in the form of Monty impersonator, Alan Oliver.

May 8th: The Museum will open a temporary exhibition about the Royal Warwickshire Regiment and the end of WW2. It will explore the role of the regiment in the final stages of the war, including the  true story of how the troops acquired a live antelope – its iconic mascot – from a Hamburg zoo. The exhibition will be open until July 22nd. The museum is open Tuesdays to Saturdays, 10am – 4pm.

May 8th.  There will be a special VE80 exhibition in the Warwickshire Yeomanry Museum in the Court House basement, and in the Visitor Centre, a VE80/VJ80 display.

May 9th: A 1940s Fish and Chip Supper in the Court House ballroom, with dressing-up and period music with singer Ruby Rouge. Bring your own drinks. Tickets £25 from the Visitor Information Centre.

May 10th: A packed ‘Event Day’ at the Court House with four talks, a buffet, and free admission to the museum. Tickets £27 available through Eventbrite. https://bit.ly/3FslwuC  See also https://fusiliermuseumwarwick.com 

Nationally there will be events from Bank Holiday Monday 5th May to 8th May, with a fly-past, concerts in Horse Guards Parade and 30,000 poppies at the Tower of London.