Witham's VE Day Commemoration

Witham Town Council proudly joined communities across the nation in commemorating the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day with a series of poignant events on Thursday, 8 May 2025.

The day began with a special ceremony on the steps of Witham Town Hall, where the Mayor of Witham read the official VE Day 80 Proclamation. The Mayor was joined by Reverend Jonathan Pritchard, who led prayers of remembrance, and the ceremony concluded with a heartfelt rendition of the National Anthem, “God Save the King.” The event was attended by councillors and residents, reflecting the town’s strong spirit of remembrance and unity.

In the evening, the community gathered for a commemorative parade led by the Essex Caledonian Pipe Band. The procession, which included dignitaries, uniformed organisations, and members of the public, set off from The Avenue and made its way to The River Walk by Chipping Hill Bridge.

Once along the River Walk, councillors shared moving tributes from those who experienced VE Day first-hand, ensuring that the voices of the wartime generation were heard and honoured.

The Bocking Brass Band provided musical accompaniment as the evening’s beacon lighting ceremony approached. At 9:30pm, The Mayor’s Cadet and an Army Cadet together lit the beacon, joining hundreds of communities nationwide in symbolising the light of peace that emerged from the darkness of war. The ceremony concluded with the playing of the Last Post, a minute’s silence in memory of the fallen, the Kohima Epitaph and a final rendition of “God Save the King.”

Witham Town Council extends its sincere gratitude to the Deputy Lord Lieutenant, the Royal British Legion, Reverend Jonathan Pritchard, the Essex Caledonian Pipe Band, the Bocking Brass Band, St John Ambulance, and all the organisations and volunteers who participated and supported the event. Special thanks are also given to all those who attended and helped make the commemoration a fitting tribute to the sacrifices made for peace and freedom.

Photographs of the day’s events, courtesy of David Islip, capture the community’s shared moments of both remembrance and celebration.