Bath & North East Somerset Council has waived road closure fees for VE Day street parties to encourage more community celebrations across the district.
Thursday, May 8, marks the 80th anniversary of VE Day, which commemorates the end of the Second World War in Europe.
The council hopes street parties will take place across the area and has waived the usual road closure fee of around £190. Event organisers will also be able to collect and use cones and signs from Volker Highways, the council’s highways maintenance contractor, for free to help set up their event.
The council normally waives fees for events of national significance, like remembrance and jubilee events.
Councillor Kevin Guy, leader of the council and veteran’s champion, said: “This is a historic occasion and a great opportunity for communities across Bath & North East Somerset to come together to honour and pay tribute to the Second World War generation.
“By waiving the fees we normally charge to close a road for events we hope it will encourage groups and communities to come together to commemorate and celebrate.”
Interested in organising a street party? The deadline for applications is Friday, April 11. Contact the council’s Event Office or visit their website for more information. Visit the official event website to find more ways to take part: https://ve-vjday80.gov.uk/.
National events:
- Commemorations will kick off on Bank Holiday Monday (May 5), which will see the Cenotaph dressed in Union flags, a military procession and a flypast in London.
- Street parties will be held across the country and ceremony on HMS Belfast will kick off community celebrations.
- May 8 will see a service of remembrance and thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey, followed by a concert.
- Service planned to mark VJ Day and the end of the war in the Far East in August.