City gathers to mark 80th anniversary of VE Day

People across Hereford have been gathering to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day.

Events have taken place from St Peter's Square to the city centre to commemorate 8 May 1945, the day that marked the end of World War Two in Europe.

People who lived through VE Day, including their family members, have attended events to mark the occasion and share their memories.

On Thursday morning, the town crier read proclamations and a two-minute silence was held.

Joyce Nicolls attended a ceremony in the city centre and said she would be remembering her mum, dad and grandparents who served in the Navy and Army.

She said: "I think it's important for the youngsters to know what people went through in those years, because it wasn't bad for us growing up as we had people to teach us.

"When they get to our age there will be nobody alive to tell those stories," Ms Nicolls said.

Mayor Kevin Tillett said it was his duty and the duty of generations beyond him to keep wartime stories alive.

"This is the last big anniversary when we'll still have people around who remember the war, who either took part in the war or lived through the war.

"My father and his brothers fought in the war and my grandparents lived through the Blitz in the East End."

Elise Shuker, from Hereford Cathedral School, attended the city centre event to lay a wreath in memory of those who served.

"If we don't remember it, then it's going to get lost, and we need to celebrate what they did for us and the peace campaign," she said.

Stephen Cole was only a baby when Europe won the war and says, despite not having any memory of celebrations at the time, he knows how important the day is.

"If it wasn't for those that lost their lives, we wouldn't be here today," he said.

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