VE Day commemorations in Monmouth began with a 9.30am flag raising ceremony at the castle, home of the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers (Militia), attended by the mayor, Cllr David Evans, RSM WO2 Tom Sherratt and Gerry Bright (RBL) among others.

The official commemorations were organised by Monmouth Town Council with the support of the Royal British Legion, the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers and the Royal Naval Association.

At 11am, wreaths were laid at the cenotaph in St James Square following a two-minute Before laying a wreath on behalf of the town council, the Mayor of Monmouth, Cllr David Evans reminded everyone of the poignant moment 80 years ago when victory in Europe was announced.

The mayor lays a wreath along with Jim Hodgson and Louise Orr at the was memorial
(Des Pugh)

“In what we knew as VE Day, today we mark the 80th anniversary of that peace, peace that was won by immense sacrifice by so many.

“So many that were killed, so many that were wounded, so many that were scarred for life.”

Other wreaths were laid by Jim Hodgson on behalf of the Royal Naval Association, Gary Powell, on behalf of the Royal Engineers Association and Louise Orr on behalf of the Royal British Legion. This was followed by the planting of a tree in the Town Field.

At 3pm, a Public Service of Commemoration for the 80th Anniversary of VE Day, was held was held at the castle in the Parade Square and was attended by members of the public, including representatives from Haberdashers Prep, Overmonnow and Kymin View schools and distinguished guests. An excerpt was played from Sir Winston Churchill’s speech, announcing the end of the Second World War in Europe and set the tone of the service to follow.

A public service on Parade square saw the Standards lowered for a two minute silence
(Des Pugh)

Haberdashers School Chaplain Reverend Dr Alycia Timmis, led the congregation with a reading and prayers with contributions from Ian Griffiths, Methodist Minister and Jonathan Greaves Baptist Minister. Wreaths were laid by the Mayor of Monmouth, David Evans, who was in attendance, together with Honorary Col. Ian Thompson, Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers and Sherren McCabe-Finlayson, President of Monmouth Chamber of Commerce and children representing Osbaston CIW school. Music was provided by the Town Band and Haberdashers school pupil Cadet Robert Burnett played the Last Post and Reveille.

The service was led by the school chaplain and the Baptist and Methodist ministers
(Des Pugh)

At 6.30pm, there was a quarter peal bell ringing at St Mary’s Church.

In the evening to draw a momentous day to a close, Haberdashers Monmouth Prep School was lit up in red, white and blue, while the Monmouth Male Voice Choir, members of the public and councillors came together to sing I Vow to Thee My Country in front of the illuminated school.

Landmark lit up for VE day- Haberdashers Monmouth School
(Tindle)