This Thursday (8th May 2025) marks 80 years since the end of World War II in Europe with a VE Day commemoration at the Monument in Southport.
Back in 1945, the news of the end of the conflict in Europe was met with huge celebrations on Lord Street and with VE Day street parties held across the town.
The war had begun in September 1939 when Hitler’s Germany and Stalin’s Russia worked together to invade Poland.
After six horrific years of conflict, the end of the conflict in Europe brought joy and relief, although the war in Asia would continue until August.
This Thursday, people are invited to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day with a service taking place in Southport town centre.
Southport Royal British Legion is hosting an official VE80 Service at Southport War Memorial on Lord Street in Southport from 11am.
All members of the Armed Forces and veterans wishing to take part are asked to form up at 10.40am at the South Colonnade.
Medals, berets and regimental blazers are encouraged.
Afterwards, tea, coffee and cakes will be served at the Southport Royal British Legion gazebo by the Colonnade to raise funds for the RBL Community hub on Wesley Street in Southport.
Members of the public are also warmly invited to support the event.
The Community Hub will also be open on Thursday for anyone who wants to call in for a cuppa and a chat.
On 8th May, 1945, VE Day was a cause for huge celebration.
In Southport, thousands of civilians and servicemen gathered around the Monument on Lord Street to hear the King’s Speech on VE night.
Street parties took place on roads across our town.
Flags and banners appeared as if by magic, many of them relics from the Coronation celebrations in the 1930s.
Tuesday, 8th May, 1945 was a warm day, and crowds were out everywhere. At 9pm a speech by King George VI was broadcast and it seemed people everywhere wanted to listen to it at outside venues rather than inside their own homes.
The Southport Visiter published that day led with the headline ‘End Of The War In Europe’ with the subhead ‘To-day is VE-Day: The King Broadcasts Tonight’.
The newspaper said: “This is VE-Day – the day that has been awaited with such great expectancy. The news has been received with profound thankfulness.”
Tuesday and Wednesday were declared public holidays.
The Southport Visiter suspended publication of the Thursday edition to give its staff the preceding days off.
People had been busy preparing for the festivities.
The Southport Visiter said: “Up to a late hour the finishing touches, including those at the Town Hall and the Municipal Buildings, were being applied.
“The traders rose to the occasion admirably. The flags of the principal United Nations were fluttering everywhere.
“The streets in the centre of the town and in the outskirts too presented a gay picture with their profusion of flags and bunting.”
Church services were held across town with Mayor Cllr J Barnes attending Christ Church at midday.
Midnight music and dance licence extensions were granted. The Southport Special Constabulary Band played in the Floral Hall Gardens and in the Municipal Gardens on Lord Street.
There was non-stop dancing in Cambridge Hall on VE Night and the following night led by Billy Bevan’s and the Southport and Birkdale Postal Military bands.
Southport had never seen celebrations quite like it.
One of the street parties was held on Warren Road in Southport on 8th May 1945.
This image was sent in by Graham Bridge, who was nine years old at the time, and has fond memories of the occasion.
Speaking five years ago, Graham said: “As kids we were astonished and amazed that we were having a street party with sandwiches, cakes and drinks, as this was the time that we were still in Wartime Rationing and everything was bought on coupons.
“Our mothers had to get together and plan these parties as our Dads were still away in the Armed Forces. Some would not return.
“Tables, chairs and bed sheets plus Union Jack flags and home-made bunting appeared from every house that still had them, and we celebrated the end of the War in Europe.
“Bomb shelters were still dotted every 200 yards along the roadway and afterwards these were then made into great Local Kids Club Shelters.
“Street lamps slowly began to be lit at night again and blackout curtains were torn down, hopefully never to be used again, and we were allowed to go without our gas masks slung on our shoulders.
“But because our Dads and Mums together had beaten the Germans we were proud to be British. Churchill was our hero.”
Do you have any memories or photos of VE Day in Southport?
Please email them to: standupforsouthport@gmail.com
Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Do you need advertising, PR or media support? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrownn@gmail.com
