Residents in Cheltenham are gathering today, 8 May 2026, to mark the 81st anniversary of Victory in Europe Day with a commemorative parade and service. The event, hosted by the Mayor of Cheltenham, Councillor Dr David Willingham, and the Cheltenham Branch of the Royal British Legion, honours the allied forces’ victory and the surrender of the Axis Powers that effectively ended the war in Europe in 1945.
The ceremony is taking place at the town’s war memorial, which is owned and maintained by Cheltenham Borough Council. Located on the Promenade outside the Municipal Offices, the memorial is a Grade II listed site. Attendees are asked to gather by 10:45 am, with the service starting at 10:55 am.
The programme will include a standards parade and a service led by Rev Stefan Davies. During the event, the Mayor and the Chairman of the local Royal British Legion branch will lay poppy wreaths to remember those who lost their lives. While VE Day signifies the conclusion of conflict in Europe, organisers have noted that thousands of service personnel continued to face fighting in the Far East until August 1945.
Wing Commander Roy Roberts, chair of the Cheltenham branch of the Royal British Legion, said the event offers an opportunity for the community to reflect on both past sacrifices and the safety of those serving today. He emphasised that the act of remembrance remains significant for people of all generations, both locally and across the country.
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