PHOTOS: Lancaster, Morecambe and Carnforth celebrate VE Day 80

Friday, 9 May 2025 09:46

By Greg Lambert @greglam72

A parade of Armed Forces standards at Morecambe Town Hall on the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Photo by Tony North

The Lancaster and Morecambe District came together to mark 80 years since the end of the Second World War in Europe.

There were official events in Lancaster, Morecambe and Carnforth on Thursday.

In Morecambe, people gathered and reflected outside Morecambe Town Hall on Thursday morning.

There was a parade of Armed Forces standards, the raising of the VE Day 80 flag from the town hall roof, an official proclamation by town crier Michael Glen, a welcome from Councillor Russell Walsh, chair of Morecambe Town Council, and a sermon from Reverend Chris Krawiec of Morecambe Parish Church.

Sgt Richard Brock, a D-Day veteran from Lancaster, aged 100, also gave a speech.

Sgt Brock is pictured below, image from Bay Veterans Association.

A singing of the National Anthem followed, before guests, including other Armed Forces veterans, went into the town hall for a reception.

Poppy the bulldog had a front row seat during the ceremony!

The event was organised by the town council in partnership with the Royal British Legion (Morecambe and Heysham branch) and Bay Veterans' Association.

On Thursday evening at The Platform, Morecambe Brass Band perform a specially curated concert programme, titled ‘And Then There Was Peace’.

The day’s celebrations ended with a beacon-lighting at the bottom of the stone jetty between the Midland Hotel and the RNLI station.

Here are more photos from the day's events in Morecambe, credit Tony North.

Photo credit: Bay Veterans Association.

Photo credit: Lancaster City Council

In Lancaster, there was a VE Day flag raising ceremony at the town hall on Thursday.

"Thank you to everyone who joined us at Lancaster Town Hall today for the VE Day flag raising ceremony," said a Lancaster City Council spokesperson.

"Your presence helped us mark this important occasion with respect, gratitude, and community spirit.

"As we honoured the courage and sacrifice of those who served, it was great to see so many come together in remembrance."

Photo credit: Lancaster City Council

In Carnforth, events included a raising of the VE Day 80 Flag, a proclamation by the town crier, and an evening VE Day service and beacon lighting.

"Another great turn out for the evening VE Day service where we honoured those who served and sacrificed their lives with the lighting of the beacon by the Town Mayor, singing from Carnforth Community Choir and the National ‘Lamp Lights for Peace’," said a spokesperson for the town council.

"Thank you to all who attended.

"Great turn out for VE Day 80 this morning, raising of the unique VE Day 80 Flag and a formal proclamation by the town crier - joined by Carnforth High School students raising the flag."

Photo credit: Carnforth Town Council

Sandylands Primary School in Morecambe also celebrated VE Day 80 with World War 2 workshops, veterans, afternoon tea, dancing and an open top bus ride.

Photo credit: Sandylands Primary School

Morecambe Bay Academy posted on Facebook: "The Students Ambassadors and Year 12 Historians were proud to represent MBA at Morecambe Town Hall's Flag Raising Ceremony this morning.

"They were honoured to meet several World War Two veterans and found the ceremony incredibly moving.

"In school, students have been remembering World War Two, our veterans and the significance of VE Day in Form Time.

"7B and Mrs Davies made an amazing effort in form and with their door. Several staff wore 1940s clothes to commemorate VE Day, and have really enjoyed the students' reactions and the conversations about World War Two that resulted."

Photo credit: Morecambe Bay Academy