Brighton & Hove Buses join VE Day 80 celebrations across the city
6 days ago
We’re pleased to be supporting two events in Brighton & Hove marking the significant anniversary of 80 years since VE (Victory in Europe) Day, when the Second World War came to an end in Europe.
The city has a proud history of marking the occasion with community events and commemorative ceremonies.
On Thursday 8th May, a reflective evening ceremony marked by the lighting of a beacon will take place at the Peace Statue in Hove.
We will be attending the short service that brings together the city’s cadet forces, uniformed services and veterans for the lighting of a beacon at 9:30pm, joining hundreds of beacons across the UK in a national moment of remembrance and hope.
The ceremony is also being supported by the Royal British Legion, Sussex Police and Downs Junior School, with the service being led by Rev. David Hazell from St Helen’s Church.
Ed Wills, Managing Director for Brighton & Hove Buses and Metrobus, said:
“We are delighted to be marking the historic 80th anniversary of VE Day, to celebrate 80 years of peace since the end of World War II in Europe.
On the day we will bring along a Coaster bus named after World War II hero Stephen Barnwell who in 2015 was given the Freedom of the town of Rots and in 2019 was honoured and awarded the Chevalier de la Legion d’Honeur by the French government and the Dutch Liberation Medal by the Netherlands government."
On Saturday 10th May, we will also be bringing our Coaster bus named after World War II hero Stephen Barnwell to the VE Day family-friendly activity day at Downs Junior School.
Downs Junior School, in partnership with local charity Take Shelter, has restored their original underground WW2 Air Raid Shelter into a museum and will be offering guided tours during the event.
There will also be the opportunity to enjoy to wartime crafts, vintage fair games and live music.
For more information on Brighton & Hove’s VE Day celebrations, click here.
Learn more about the Stephen Barnwell bus here.