Harrogate Gathers To Commemorate VE Day 80th Anniversary
A special, contained commemoration was held in Harrogate town centre this evening (May 8th) to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
Images from the commemoration at the Cenotaph this evening (May 8th).
Partnered organisations including Harrogate Business Improvement District (BID), Charter Mayor Cllr Chris Aldred, Charter Trustees for Harrogate, The Royal British Legion, St Peter’s Church, Harrogate Army Foundation College, the Harrogate Band and the Air and Sea Cadets came together to mark the milestone at the Cenotaph in the town centre.
Featuring a bugle fanfare, both meaningful and celebratory music, commemorative speeches, readings, prayers, formations and marches, it was a suitable occasion during a nationally renowned time of remembrance, reflection and celebration.
Matthew Chapman, Chief Executive at Harrogate BID, said: “As the BID, we were proud to be a part of this fitting commemoration to mark this VE Day anniversary.
“We felt it was important to act on a gap created by the new Unitary Authority in the region by bringing key people together to compile an appropriate plan to match the significant occasion.
“I would like to thank all of the individuals and organisations involved in the partnered planning and delivery of the event, it has been a pleasure to work alongside them.
“We look forward to working with the new Harrogate Town Council on future commemorations.”
Meanwhile, Councillor Chris Aldred also offered his thanks to everyone involved in bringing the event to life.
Cllr Aldred said: “It’s brilliant that an organisation such as Harrogate BID exists, that can put on an event such as this, at relatively short notice, to provide an appropriate commemoration of a very special day in our nations history.
“Hopefully the recently elected Harrogate Town Council will be able to organise similar events in the future, but obviously the timings were a bit awkward on this specific occasion, with the Charter Trustees no longer in existence and the Town Council not properly started yet.
“I’m sure that all the former Charter Trustees, as well as the newly elected members of the Town Council, will wish to join in my heartfelt thanks to the BID team for ensuring that Harrogate was not left out on this very special day.”
Alongside the commemoration, the BID and partners have also funded additional elements around the town centre including a projection on the Victoria Shopping Centre and specially commissioned artwork and informative boarding installations to share facts and details on how VE Day was celebrated in Harrogate 80 years ago.
New flag bunting featuring the Union Jack and red, white and blue colour schemes has also been placed in key locations around the town centre, while creative lighting along Beulah Street and around the Cenotaph has also been changed to match a similar colour scheme.
