8 May 2020
When VE Day dawns on 8th May 2020 it will be 75 years since the guns fell silent at the end of the war in Europe. Years of carnage and destruction had come to an end and millions of people took to the streets and pubs to celebrate peace, mourn their loved. In line with others around the country and world, the Lieutenancy came together virtually to reflect on the enormous sacrifice, courage and dedication of people from all walks of life who saw us through this dark and terrifying period in history. In addition to a flag-raising ceremony on College Green, the piping of Battle’s O’er by Bob Smyth and numerous tea parties held on streets across the City, a toast was raised at 3pm to World War II veterans by the Lord-Lieutenant Mrs Peaches Golding OBE, many of her Deputy Lieutenants and secretary for the Lieutenancy. ‘I am so pleased we could raise a toast to world peace, if not in person due to Covid-19 restrictions on movement, and to say thank you to those to whom we owe so much,’ Peaches Golding confirmed.