Banffshire communities set to come together to mark historic 80th anniversary of VE Day
Communities up and down the land are set to come together to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day this week.
On May 8 it will be eight decades since victory in Europe was declared when Hitler’s forces surrendered, bringing the war on the continent to an end.
It was not the end of World War II, though, that coming on August 15 that same year when Japan surrendered.
To mark the historic anniversary of VE Day, communities large and small across Banffshire will be coming together to celebrate the end of the six-year conflict and remember all those who made the ultimate sacrifice to defeat the Nazis and the Axis Powers.
A number of events are planned for Thursday. In Buckie there will be a wreath-laying ceremony at the town’s war memorial in Cluny Square at 12 noon, organised by the local British Legion branch. All are warmly invited to the Legion for free teas, coffees and a light buffet from 12 noon to 3pm.
Meanwhile, in Keith at 10.30am, there will be a wreath-laying ceremony at the Gordon Highlanders memorial. At Keith North Church that evening at 6.30pm there will be a piper and special readings.
At the Scottish Women’s Land Army memorial at Clochan, a special service of commemoration will be held from 11am, with the Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire Andrew Simpson scheduled to attend.
In Moray, a flag will be raised at council headquarters in Elgin to honour the anniversary at 10am, while at 2pm there will be a joint service with the local authority and the Moray Lieutenancy on the town’s Plainstones.
Seeing out VE Day itself in Banffshire will be the lighting of a beacon on Ben Rinnes at 9.30pm, organised by the Dufftown branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland.
On Friday from 6.30pm there will be an event involving local schoolchildren, the Country Quines and many more including Keith Kilt and Textile Centre at Royal British Legion Scotland
Banff Castle Community Centre will be running a VE and Community Showcase Day on the Saturday from 10.45am to 6pm boasting a packed programme of events.
A Celebration Tea is due to get under way at 2pm at the Richmond Memorial Hall in Tomintoul.
On Sunday, Dufftown British Legion is hosting A Party to Remember from 1pm.
Over at Banff Castle Community Centre on Wednesday, May 14 there will be a talk entitled A Wartime Childhood from 2pm. Also at the centre, the Banffshire at War exhibition is running throughout May.
An exhibition is also being held in the Museum of Banff until May 17 while at Duff House until June 29 the Duff House 1939-1945 display will be on show.
Timings and dates may be subject to change without notice.
