VE Day 80 – Thursday 8 May 2025

Thursday 8 May is VE Day 80 (Victory in Europe Day). This marks 80 years since the end of the Second World War in Europe with the surrender of Nazi Germany to the Allies in May 1945.

The day is an opportunity to remember the 450,000 from the UK who lost their lives in the war (including 70,000 civilians) as well as the millions more across Europe and around the world.

The event will be marked by commemorative events across the UK. Scouts are invited to light beacons and Lamp Lights of Peace at 9.30pm on Thursday 8 May.

If you’re planning to be part of the VE Day Commemoration, you can register your event nationally. You event will be added to the official calendar and a certificate will be issued. Please also let the County Communications team know, provide a photo or two plus brief details of the event.

The Royal British Legion is also organising events to mark this anniversary, involving veterans from the UK, Commonwealth and beyond.

Do one thing: Look out for the VE Day 80 – Scouts for Peace Occasional Badge that can be worn on uniform from May to October 2025. More details on this to follow in the membership email.

National VE Day Celebrations – Thursday 08 May 2025

Scouts have been invited to take part in the national VE Day Celebrations, part of which is the special 80th Anniversary concert on the evening of Thursday 08 May 2025. This will take place at the Horse Guards Parade Ground, London. Arrival by 6.30pm and finishing by 10pm. It will be televised on BBC One, but we don’t yet have further details about what will be involved for us.

Lincolnshire Scouts has been allocated 10 places for this event (2 adult and 8 young people). Some 10,000 members of the public are expected to attend and we will

be part of a wider contingent of 500 Scouts from around the UK and British Scouting Overseas. It promises to be a very special evening, part of a moment in history.

Lincolnshire adult volunteers wanting to take part – please respond before Tuesday 25 March 2025

Initially, Howard Nelson -County Lead Volunteer, is looking for two adult volunteers from across the County to lead our contingent of 8 young people of Scout and Explorer Scout age. At this stage, he is inviting expressions of interest from adult volunteers only, to be received by Tuesday 25 March 2025.

Candidates will:

• lead and take responsibility for our contingent, travelling into London, whilst at the event and for the return journey.
• have section Team Leader or Team Member experience
• be working with the Scout or Explorer age range (although preferred this is not essential as long as you have experience in either of these sections)

If you would to take part, then please let Howard Nelson know by Sunday 23 March and provide the following information:

• Name
• Membership number
• Current role, section, Group / Unit
• A paragraph about yourself and why you would like to take up this opportunity.

Young People wanting to take part – please respond before Friday 04 April 2025

With 8 May being just 8 weeks away, Howard is also seeking candidates from young people wanting to take part.

Section Team Leaders in Scouts and Explorers, please talk to your young people about this opportunity at your meetings next week and let Howard know your candidates, by providing the name of the young person(s) initially.

If there are too many candidates then it is likely the places will be decided on the basis of ease of transport arrangements or potentially a ballot.

The deadline for submission of names is before Friday 04 April 2025.

Interested or would like more information?

Please reply / get in touch with Howard at howard.nelson@lincolnshirescouts.org.uk.