Eighty years after Victory in Europe Day brought an end to the Second World War on the continent, the UK is marking the historic milestone with heartfelt commemorations—from nationwide beacons and military flypasts to street parties and shopfront tributes.
This evening, over 1,000 beacons will be lit across the UK, symbolising peace, resilience, and national unity. On Monday, the Royal Air Force honoured the day with a flypast over Buckingham Palace, featuring the Red Arrow’s turning the skies red, white & blue.
While the skies and streets will take centre stage, Britain’s corner shops and convenience retailers are playing a vital role in helping communities commemorate in their own ways—bringing local history to life and creating space for reflection and joy.
In Wiltshire, Susan Connolly, who runs several SPAR stores, has gone all out to decorate her shops in red, white and blue bunting.
Meanwhile, over in Middlesex, well-known retailer Atul Sodha has taken on a rather sweet role—judging a VE Day-themed cake competition at a community street party. There were Union Jack cupcakes, Victoria sponges, even one cake shaped like a Spitfire.
In Llanidloes, Trudy Davies of Woosnam & Davies News is doing her part too. A proud standard bearer for the Royal British Legion, Trudy has been leading a full week of VE Day activities in her community, including a picnic on Monday – demonstrating the deep personal commitment that small businesses bring to national moments like these.
Today’s events also included a nationwide two-minute silence at midday, with many stores pausing trade to join in, allowing staff and customers to reflect on the sacrifices made by the wartime generation.
As beacon flames light up the night sky and aircraft roar overhead, the 80th anniversary of VE Day is not just a story of national pageantry—it’s a story of local pride, neighbourly effort, and a quiet but powerful commitment to never forget.
Responses