A three-day programme of VE Day celebratory events is planned in Carlisle.
Organised by the Royal British Legion, with support from Cumbria County Council and Carlisle City Council, the events will be held between Friday 8 and Sunday 10 May 2020.
All events will be held in Carlisle city centre’s pedestrianised shopping area and will be free to attend.
The programme will include:
A military parade, starting at Carlisle Castle at 2.30pm on Friday 8 May. Participants will include the Royal British Legion and other military personnel. Other uniformed organisations, such as Scouts, Cadets and Guides, plus armed forces veterans, are encouraged to take part in the parade but to contact Major Rtd A P Chandler at apchandler@hotmail.co.uk or call 07860 961548 prior to the event to confirm their attendance. The parade will march from the Castle towards the Old Town Hall.
At 3pm there will be a Churchillian speech and open-air multi-faith service. This is open to all to attend and will include hymns, thanksgiving and prayers. The Border Concert Band will accompany the service which is expected to last around 20 minutes.
An afternoon of music from the World War II era will be held in the city centre on Saturday 9 May between 1pm and 4pm. Confirmed performers include the Cliff Eland Band, the Carlisle Ukulele Band, Cindy the Forces Sweetheart, Dog on the Couch and the University of Cumbria’s Sorelli A Capella Group. The day of celebration is an event for all ages. Come along and enjoy the music of a bygone era.
A Cathedral service will be held on Sunday 10 May. A military parade will start from the Castle at 12.30pm. Following the service, the parade will march back to the Castle. All are welcome to attend the Service of Thanksgiving which starts at 1pm.
Major Rtd A P Chandler, representing the Royal British Legion, said: “Preparations are well underway for Carlisle’s VE Day programme of events. We want as many organisation and individuals to get involved and join in the celebrations. With only a few months to go until VE Day, we urge people to contact us and to put the dates in their diaries.”
Cumbria’s Museum of Military Life in Carlisle Castle will also be part of the celebrations with events on both Friday 8 May and Saturday 9 May between 10am and 2pm.
For further information about VE Day visit www.veday75.org
