Isle of Man events mark 80th anniversary of VE Day

Ashlea Tracey & Alex BlakeBBC News, Isle of Man
News imageBBC Two men standing in military uniforms and holding up flags n the Villa Marina Royal Hall. They are standing next to blue and white drums, which has a red wreath been placed on one, and there is a large band sitting behind them.BBC
A military service at the Villa Marina saw drums used as a makeshift altar

Services of remembrance and a big band concert have taken place across the Isle of Man to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

Ceremonies were held at war memorials in Ramsey, Douglas, Onchan, Port St Mary and Castletown to acknowledge the end of World War Two in Europe.

Church bells rang out across the island and a beacon was lit the island's Lieutenant Governor Sir John Lorimer, joining a network of others being illuminated across the British Isles.

Commemorations also featured a free two-hour concert and military service was also held at the Villa Marina in the Manx capital.

The Manx public was also invited to fall silent at midday to commemorate the anniversary and remember those who fought during the war.

Commemorative services and the lighting of a beacon mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day

At a ceremony in front of a memorial commemorating VE Day and VJ Day in Hilary Park in the island's capital, Douglas Mayor Natalie Byron-Teare laid a wreath.

"The legacy of those who we honour continues to guide us forward," she said.

"As we look back to 1945 let us also look forward with hope, with unity, and with a renewed commitment to peace.

"The world has changed but the lessons of the past remain as vital as ever."

News imageA poppy wreath at the bottom of a stone memorial to VE and VJ Day in a green park in Douglas.
A small ceremony was held at the World War Two memorial in Hilary Park in Douglas

Ceremonies organised by the Royal British Legion (RBL) took place at the same time at the Onchan War Memorial and in the Port St Mary garden of remembrance.

An act of remembrance was also held at the Castletown War Memorial, where there were readings and the laying of wreaths.

After the national two-minute silence at noon, a similar service commenced in Ramsey.

News imagePeople standing on a paved area in the garden where a member of the clergy in white robes does a reading. There are trees to the left and blue sky and the sea behind him.
A service was held in Port St Mary's Garden of Remembrance

The Douglas branch of the RBL hosted a wreath laying commemoration, including a reading of Sir Winston Churchill's famous radio broadcast from the day at 15:00 BST, reflecting the time the wartime prime minister announced the conflict had had come to an end in Europe in 1945.

News imageA veteran doing a salute in front of the war memorial with several poppy wreaths laid at the base. Standard bearers with flags are behind him.
A number of veterans laid wreaths at Douglas War Memorial
News imageVeterans stood in suits and berets, some with medals, amongst a crowd standing silent on VE Day.
Veterans were among those to lay wreaths at Douglas War Memorial

Residents heard the sounds of church bells ring out at 17:00 at St George's Church in Douglas, followed by a peal at Cathedral Isle of Man in Peel at 18:30.

The commemorations continued with a big band concert of music from the wartime era at the Villa Marina.

It included solo performances by local singers Paul Costain and Nicola O'Connor, alongside narrations by school pupils.

News imageA man in a white jacket sings on a stage in front of a large band. A huge union flag is draped behind him which as a a Manx triskelion in the middle. An audience watches on.
A concert at the Villa Marina featured music from the wartime era

Led by the Royal British Legion, a traditional drumhead service then followed.

The military religious service, which uses drums as a makeshift altar, saw readings by Chief Minister Alfred Cannan and the island's Lieutenant Governor Sir John Lorimer.

At about 21:30 a commemorative beacon was lit by Sir Lorimer in the grounds of the venue, which saw hundreds of people attend to pay their respects.

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