Pembrokeshire County Council commemorates VE Day 80 with poignant ceremony
PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL staff, councillors, and members of the public gathered yesterday (May 8) to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day with a series of commemorative events at County Hall, Haverfordwest.
Local children's VE Day 80 artwork on display at County Hall Music and memories: Council workers join in wartime songs Staff and councillors outside County Hall for the VE Day 80 proclamation
The official VE Day 80 proclamation was read aloud during a respectful outdoor ceremony, with the Council Chairman and Chief Executive Will Bramble in attendance. The proclamation was followed by the raising of the specially commissioned VE Day 80 flag, paying tribute to the moment in 1945 when the guns fell silent across Europe after six years of war.
Inside County Hall, the air was filled with nostalgic wartime songs, performed with enthusiasm by council staff and accompanied on keyboard by a colleague. Bunting and banners bearing the VE Day 80 logo adorned the building, creating a festive but respectful atmosphere.
A highlight of the indoor display was a striking exhibition of children's artwork and historical research. Dozens of handmade posters, patriotic drawings, and VE Day-themed projects created by local school pupils were displayed throughout the foyer and stairwells. These included Union Jack motifs, historical photographs, and written accounts reflecting on the sacrifices made by the wartime generation.
The council's commemoration formed part of a wider national effort to mark VE Day 80, encouraging reflection, gratitude, and community spirit.
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