Wales to commemorate the 70th anniversary of VE Day in Wales

The Welsh Government has today outlined events across Wales to commemorate the 70th anniversary of VE Day.

Friday 8 May

3pm – National Service of Commemoration at Cardiff Castle. Minister for Public Services Leighton Andrews will be attending.

2.30pm – 3.15pm – Veterans’ parade and wreath laying at the Cenotaph in Llanelli.

3pm – Two minute silence observed in Queen’s Square in Wrexham led by the Mayor. An air raid siren will sound prior to the silence.

3pm – Two minutes silence observed at St Mary’s Church in Brecon town centre.

3pm – Two minutes silence observed at Caernarfon Castle.

11am – Act of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in St Asaph.

6pm – Choral Evensong service at St Asaph Cathedral.

2.30pm – Drumhead Service at the Cenotaph in Chirk followed by a show at the Royal British Legion Club.

2.30pm – Service at Newtown war memorial.

11am – 7pm – Forties themed music, dress and vintage vehicles with photo display of veterans and family heroes at Llandysul.

All day (Fri and Sat) – VE Day anniversary exhibition in Pembrey and Burry Port.

At 9.30pm beacons will be lit at the following locations:

Cardiff Castle, Kidwelly Castle Beaumaris Castle, Anglesey; Pen y Fan, Duke of Wellington statue, Brecon; Craig Y Dorth, Monmouth; Barrack Hill, Pembroke Dock,  Welshpool (Top of Red Bank), Swansea ( at the Cenotaph) and Bedwellty House, Tredegar.

First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones will attend a special VE Day Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in London.

Saturday 9 May

12.30 – 5pm – VE Day picnic organised by the Royal British Legion at Llwyn Isaf in Wrexham.

Afternoon –  Tea dance in Newtown.

As part of a celebratory moment of noise, at 11am bells will ring at Llandaff Cathedral, Cardiff; St John’s Church, Cardiff and St David’s Cathedral, Cardiff and at Brecon Cathedral.

Sunday 10 May

11am – VE Day service at St John’s Church, Cardiff.
11.45am – VE Day service and parade in Swansea  location – the anti-aircraft gun monument at the city’s river bridges opposite Sainsbury’s)

3.30pm – National service of Thanksgiving at Llandaff Cathedral. The Minister for Finance and Government Business Jane Hutt will be attending.
3.30pm – Special VE Day service at Brecon Cathedral.

Morning –  VE Day themed service at St David’s Cathedral in Pembrokeshire.

12 – 4pm – Family picnic and 1940s themed entertainment and military re-enactment at Cardiff Castle.

Afternoon – 1940s family fun day at Blaenavon.

The First Minister Carwyn Jones will represent Wales at a Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey to mark the anniversary of Victory in Europe.

The First Minister said:

“It’s good to see that across Wales those who gave their lives in World War 2 being remembered. It’s important that we give our heartfelt thanks for their sacrifice to secure our way of life.”