Town Council Supporting VE Day Commemorative Event

The end of World War Two will be commemorated in Hailsham at a free event to mark the 75th anniversary of the cessation of hostilities.

Hailsham News, in partnership with the Town Council and local community groups, will be holding a commemoration event for VE Day – entitled ‘Hailsham Live’ – on Friday 8th May (bank holiday), involving local schools, air and army cadets, bands and choirs.

The day-long event, which takes place from 12pm to 10pm in the Wealden District Council car park located off Vicarage Lane, will include the marking of the National VE Day commemorations and an evening programme of entertainment is scheduled to be organised.

The event will be the host of ten hours of live staged entertainment from the local schools, community groups, war time singers and professional live acts in the evening until 10pm.

There will be more than sixty exhibitors consisting of local charities, traders, local beer and wine suppliers, hot and cold food, circus entertainment and children’s activities, fun and games.

It has been confirmed the Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, Mr Peter Field, will be joining Hailsham to commemorate the VE Day Anniversary official Celebrations and will be asked to inspect a parade of army, air cadets and local veterans which will be opening the show.

The event will be officially opened by the Lord Lieutenant, the Mayor of Hailsham Cllr Paul Holbrook, the Member of Parliament for Wealden Nus Ghani and the High Sheriff of East Sussex Mrs Violet Ljubica Hancock of Ringmer.

Encouraging people to mark the Friday 8^th May Hailsham Live event in their diaries, Town Mayor Cllr Paul Holbrook said: “Whilst VE Day – or Victory in Europe Day – was one of celebration marking the end of hostilities in Europe during World War Two, VE Day was also a moment of great sadness and reflection, as many people had lost their lives in the conflict with a great deal of individuals continuing to fight in other conflicts.”

Cllr Holbrook added: “Planning for this important event is still being carried out and we will endeavour to let residents know exactly what will be on site once the entertainment and other details are confirmed.”

Event organiser and Editor of Hailsham News, Paul Gibson commented: “I’m really excited to be hosting Hailsham LIVE to mark this very special occasion. This will be the last landmark anniversary the remaining Veterans are likely to witness, so it’s very important for us to make this a moment one to remember for Hailsham and put the town on the map.”

Full details of the Hailsham Live can be found online at hailsham.live