National celebrations are beginning to mark 70 years since VE Day.
They include a two-minute silence at The Cenotaph in London at 3pm on Friday May 8, marking the moment Prime Minister Winston Churchill broadcast his historic speech formally announcing the end of the war against Germany.
On Friday evening more than 100 beacons will be lit around the country. There are several in Kent, Sussex and Essex and all will be lit at 9.30pm.
On Saturday churches are being asked to ring bells at 11am – and on Sunday the Queen will attend a service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey .
There are also community events taking place across the South East. Some of the events listed below have a cover charge so it is best to check in advance.
FRIDAY MAY 8 BEACONS:
The Leas, Folkestone
Battle of Britain Memorial, Capel-le-Ferne
Windmill Hill, Gravesend
Grounds of Blind Veterans UK, Ovingdean, Brighton
Victoria Pleasure Ground, Uckfield
St John’s Park, Burgess Hill
Tilgate Park, Crawley
Coalhouse Fort, East Tilbury
EVENTS:
FRIDAY 8 MAY 2015
Haywards Heath – VE Day celebration: Community Room, Walden Park Primary Academy, New England Rd,11.00 am – 2pm.
Brighton – VE Day Anniversary Concert, Royal Pavilion, 8pm.
Tonbridge – Concert by The Clefhangers Big Band and local performers, River Centre, 8pm
Uckfield – Maroon to be fired in the town centre and flag-raising at Civic Centre, 3pm.
SATURDAY MAY 9
Newhaven – Newhaven Fort, Fort Road street party on the parade ground, 10.30-4pm .
Gravesend – VE Day commemorative event at the Fort Gardens, 11.30am – 2.30pm.
East Wittering – VE Day event, Cakeham Road, East Wittering, 11am – 3pm
Tonbridge – Tom Carradine will be singing wartime and cockney singalongsongs in the Pavilion shopping centre, Tonbridge and all money collected in that day is in support of the Royal British legion, 12-2pm
Betteshanger – VE Day celebration, Betteshanger Social Club, 7pm
SUNDAY MAY 10
Brighton – Open Air Service, War Memorial, Old Steine, Brighton, 3pm
Horam – The Horam Village VE Day Street Party at Horam Station, 2pm – 5pm
Tonbridge – Service of Thanksgiving and an exhibition including dress of the era at Tonbridge Parish Church, 6.30pm.
East Grinstead – VE Day Street Party, High Street, 4pm – 9pm