VJ Day in Leicestershire

The end of the Second World War took place 80 years ago and as the world prepares to mark this important anniversary with a mix of sombre reflection and celebratory events, we’re running down some of the key events taking place in Leicester and Leicestershire.

80 years ago, people in Leicester marked the end of the Second World War with a conga round the Clock Tower – and there are two major events in the region which aim to bring the 1940s to life and showcase the spirit of wartime Britain as the nation celebrated the end of the war.

The 80^th anniversary of the end of World War 2 coincides with the 20^th anniversary of the UK’s largest recreation event. Held as close to the end of the war (2 September) as weekends will allow, the 100 acre Foxlands Farm is transported back to the 1940s with hundreds of re-enactors bringing the past to life across huge encampments. You can also expect more than 300 restored military vehicles from the Second World War, static aircraft displays plus fly-bys from some of the most iconic WWII planes and extensive recreations, including a massive tank battle.

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On 31 August the charming gardens of Belvoir Castle will be transformed into a vintage wonderland, packed with music, merriment, and memories of a bygone era. Dust off your dancing shoes, dig out your best vintage attire and boogie woogie the day away.

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Flags will be flown in Town Hall Square from Thursday 14 to Monday 18 August and a floral tribute plus commemorative book will be available inside the Town Hall for people to record their personal thanks to the men and women who served in the war.

Leicester Cathedral will also be marking the anniversary with a commemorative evening service on Thursday 14 August, which will be open to the public and attended by the Lord Mayor, the Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire, and other civic dignitaries. Bell-ringing will follow.

Leicester’s libraries and museums will also be getting involved by showcasing resources, memories and objects relating to the 1940s wartime era and celebrations of peace. In August, the hugely popular Popping to the Shops exhibition will feature as its ‘object of the month’ an extremely rare poster for a VJ concert in November 1945, delayed on purpose so that servicemen returning from the Far East could attend.

At the Central Library on Bishop Street until Saturday (16 August), people can drop in and create a Japanese origami Peace Crane and learn about the legend of Senbazuru ­– the Japanese tradition that promises a wish to anyone who folds 1,000 paper cranes. The Peace Crane Story will be read by storyteller Hema Acharya at the Central Library at 2pm on Wednesday 13 August.

Those wishing to find out more about VJ Day in Leicester will find a themed display of books at the Central Library, while the personal stories of soldiers from Leicester who were sent to East Asia during the war can be found on a new page on the Story of Leicester website. Photographs, letters and archive images have been published on a dedicated page to mark the 80th anniversary.

On Friday 15th August a VJ Day Commemoration Ceremony and Act of Remembrance will be taking place at 11.55am on The Square in the centre of Market Harborough, with the nationwide 2-minutes silence observed at midday (please arrive by 11.50am).

A special VJ Day event in Queen’s Park on Friday 15 August will feature live music and reflections from local dignitaries and veterans from 7pm. It will include stalls from local organisations such as the Royal British Legion, Sea Cadets, and Loughborough Library Local Studies. The beacon will be lit at 8.30pm by Mel Gould a stalwart of the Loughborough community, having been chairman of the Loughborough Carillon Tower and War Memorial Museum for 16 years.

On Saturday 16 August there will be a short Remembrance event, starting from Melton Recreation ground. Military vehicles will be parked for the public to view from 10.30am before an act of Remembrance at 10.45am, followed by a lighting of the Beacon at 11am. The commemorations will conclude in Elmshurst Park, Woodbridge at 12noon.

On Saturday 16 August a VJ Day service will be conducted in St Mary’s Church from 10.55am to 11.30am followed by wreath laying at the war memorial and an act of remembrance. This is a service by St Mary’s Church followed by dignitaries and escorts to walk to the memorial and a simple wreath laying ceremony, lasting less than 15 mins.

On Sunday 17 August from 12noon-5pm there will be a special 1940s Themed Picnic in Glenmore Park. Whether you wish to dress up in wartime themed clothing, bring a picnic and flags or just pop down to be involved. We’ll gather to reflect, celebrate, and honour those who served. There will be Matt Limb OBE sharing wartime stories, live performances, stall holders.

In Thurmaston there will be a Ceremony of Remembrance and Celebration on Friday 15th August which begins with the ringing of bells at St Michael’s Church from 7pm and a short ceremony from 7.30pm at the War Memorial on Melton Road which will include music from Thurmaston Scout & Guide Band and other local groups. A VJ Day 80 display and refreshments will follow in the Memorial Hall after the ceremony.