The Frome Branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL), are encouraging support of events, and putting out a call for:
“Bunting Galore to bind 80th anniversary VE and VJ commemorations on 8th May and 15th August 2025”.
Jane Norris, Frome RBL Remembrance coordinator, said “This auspicious date cannot go overlooked. VE Day (Victory in Europe) and VJ (Victory in Japan) Day, that marked the end of the Second World War, have been commemorated in Frome at each of the decade landmarks since 1945. I was herself serving in the Queen Alexandra Royal Naval Nursing Service for the 50th Anniversary, and sat behind HM the late Queen at the finale concert at Hyde Park, for the three days of tribute celebrations in 1995. Formal dinners have taken place and services, and in 2015 Alan Campbell with Jane Norris, interviewed and recorded WW2 veterans, wives and an evacuee for the 70th anniversary. Covid interrupted the plans for the 75th anniversary in 2022, but Ashley Stewart was able to record some of the last voices for the Virtual Frome Remembrance that year.
“Now, with this wonderful archive and the opportunity to honour the few that remain, Frome RBL has coordinated events and is asking for ‘bunting galore to bind the 80th anniversary VE and VJ commemorations on 8th May and 15th August 2025’.
“Make and Mend, any shape, any size, with any material, in red, white and blue, either put on binding or not, but please deliver to the reception of the Frome Town Hall. This project is running from now until August and will be on display from 4th May. Commemorative VE Day 8th May events will combine elements of celebration and commemoration.”
Schedule
Friday 3rd May
Flags to go up in Bath Street for the week of VE
Sunday, 4th May 2pm-4pm
Frome Town Band will be having a concert in the park with some suitably themed VE Day music
Thursday, 8th May
10.30am: Short service at Rossetti House led by Frome RBL
2.45pm: Gather at Frome Memorial. Listen to a recording of Winston Churchill’s speech to the nation in 1945. Wreath laying finishing with King George VI speech. Scones and songs and bunting galore!
5.00pm: Gather at Frome Memorial for informal walk to St John’s Church for a recreation of the Thanksgiving for Victory Order of Service from 1945
5.30pm: St John’s Church for a recreation of the Thanksgiving for Victory Order of Service from 1945
6.30pm: Bells to ring out across the nation
9.30pm: Beacons to be lit across the country
15th August
Commemorative VJ Day 15th August events will combine elements of celebration and commemorations:
November 2025
Three-day event being planned, to present the history of Frome in WW2, in archive film, a special creative performance and much more. Details to follow. The photo of Kevin Ross (Dramakarma), Jane Norris (Frome RBL and veteran), Alan Campbell (audio visual recorder and veteran) and David Lassman (Author, historian and FSLS Chairman) hints of something special
Please support these events and let the generations of our families who have gone before, know that they are not, and will never be, forgotten”.
