THE 80th anniversary of VE Day will be celebrated in Ross-on-Wye with several spectacular events.

Through Bruno Peek, the official national Pageantmaster, guidelines have been published for VE Day Celebrations and Ross Town Council and St Mary’s Church, together with the Ross and District Branch of the Royal British Legion and others have entered fully into the spirit of the event by organising an exciting programme of events during the week of Victory in Europe day.

The Friends of St Mary’s Church and the local branch of the Royal British Legion have organised a Tea Dance at the church on Sunday, May 4, commencing at 2pm.

The event will be featuring Monmouth Big Band, and thanks to a generous financial grant from Ross Town Council entry to the dance will be free.

A cream tea will be available at a very moderate cost. The event will be open to all, and 1940s dress will be encouraged.

The programme of local events for the anniversary of VE Day, on Thursday May 8 has just been released.

At 9am, Ross and District Branch of the Royal British Legion. together with representatives of the Town Council and other bodies will ceremoniously raise the special anniversary flag at the Market House assisted by the Town Cryer.

At 6.30pm, the bellringers at St Mary’s Church Bells will be ringing out in celebration of Peace under the direction of St Mary’s Bell Captain, Elizabeth Walker.

A VE Day commemoration event will then be held at St Mary’s Church from 7pm. Everyone is welcome and the event will be produced by Mark Sanderson and Paul Cummings and will be conducted by the new Rector, Rev Kelvin Price.

The theme of this commemoration will be the passing of the flame of Remembrance from the older to the younger generation, with suitable audio-visual presentations, music and ceremony.

It will be a largely non-religious event and with support from pupils of John Kyrle and Uniformed Youth organisations, it will draw on the historical context, life in the 1940s and the part played by the Town during the War.

Several individuals will recall their memories of that day 80 years ago. The event will offer thanksgiving for the selflessness of those who gave up so much in order that future generations should enjoy the blessings of freedom, democracy and peace.

Fish and Chips will be on sale adjacent to the Prospect from 7.30pm and is where Hereford Big Band will be playing on The Prospect.

Everyone is encouraged to dress up and to dance to the sounds of the 1970s. There will be a prize for the best dressed participants.

From 9pm, there will be the formal Lighting of the Beacon ceremony, involving a Piper, the Town Cryer and the Mayor, after which the Beacon will be lit by the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Herefordshire, Nathaniel Hone.

St Mary’s Church will provide shelter in the case of inclement weather. It is hoped that the Beacon Lighting will proceed regardless of the weather conditions.