VE Day 2025

On Thursday 8 May 2025, communities across North Northamptonshire will mark 80 years since the end of the Second World War, with Victory in Europe (VE) Day.

Communities are planning events to mark this momentous anniversary to ensure that the service and sacrifice of the Second World War generation is remembered.

Events

Corby

Thursday 8 May

Times and information	Roads closed
8:30pm - Refreshments arranged by The Royal Air Force Air Cadets 9pm - Corby’s Mayor and Canon Paul Frost lead the Tribute 9:30pm - Scot Guard Veteran Piper Scott Morton to play whist the beacon is lit by the Royal British Legion 9:35pm - Parade and Formation by the Cadets	None

Earls Barton

Thursday 8 May

Times and information	Roads closed
9:30pm - Lighting the beacon	Market Square

Higham Ferrers

Thursday 8 May

Times and information	Roads closed
9:30pm - Rushden Town Band performing	None

Irthlingborough

Thursday 8 May

Times and information	Roads closed
7:45am - Bagpiper, Michelle Jewell 8am - VE Day 80 Proclamation by the Irthlingborough Town Crier, John Farrar 9am - Raising of the VE Day 80 Flag in remembrance of those who served in WWII 7:30pm - Raunds Temperance Band performing music from the era 8:15pm - Singer Tracey Barker performing evocative songs from the era 8:45pm - Raunds Temperance Band continues with music from the era 9:30pm - The lighting of the Beacon and Lanterns of Peace 9:35pm - The Last Post played from St. Peter’s Church tower	None

Times and information

Roads closed

7:45am - Bagpiper, Michelle Jewell
8am - VE Day 80 Proclamation by the Irthlingborough Town Crier, John Farrar
9am - Raising of the VE Day 80 Flag in remembrance of those who served in WWII
7:30pm - Raunds Temperance Band performing music from the era
8:15pm - Singer Tracey Barker performing evocative songs from the era
8:45pm - Raunds Temperance Band continues with music from the era
9:30pm - The lighting of the Beacon and Lanterns of Peace
9:35pm - The Last Post played from St. Peter’s Church tower

None

Kettering

Sunday 8 June

Times and information	Roads closed
12pm - Armed forces parade	Traffic order restricting access to London Road from car park north, Horsemarket, Silver Street, Gold Street, High Street, Market Street, and Sheep Street to the junction of George Street from 11am to after the parade has dispersed Lower car park near Municipal Offices to be closed completely, some parts of London Road car park to be closed

Kings Cliffe

Saturday 10 May

Times and information	Roads closed
VE and VJ Day street party	West Street

Oundle

Thursday 8 May

Times and information	Roads closed
2:45pm - Commemoration of VE Day 3pm - Tea party for those who remember VE Day 1945	None

Raunds

Thursday 8 May

Times and information	Roads closed
7pm - Street Party Events: Local school performance, Vintage Trio The Candy Girls performing, Local choir performances, Lighting the Beacon of Peace	West Street and High Street

Rothwell

Saturday 17 May

Times and information
2pm - VE themed Picnic in the Park

Thrapston

Thursday 8 May

Times and information	Roads closed
9:45pm - Lighting the beacon and Thrapston Town Band performance	None

Titchmarsh

Thursday 8 May

Times and information	Roads closed
9:30pm - Lighting the beacon	None

Last updated 17 April 2025