main content Debt of honour - 60th commemoration of VE/VJ days in 2005

After a successful application to the Lottery Fund, Bromley’s VE/VJ Working Party, consisting of veteran groups and others, has been granted the maximum grant of £20,000 for the commemorations.

Bromley Council has also allocated £20,000 funding and sponsorship from local businesses and individuals is being sought.

The Mayor, Cllr Mrs Anne Manning, who has Chaired the VE/VJ Working Party, said: "Bromley has a bold and challenging programme of events which involves all parts of the local community.  We will be paying a Debt of Honour, perhaps for the last time, to those who served in and out of uniform, as well as those who suffered during the blitz and the many hardships of living through those desperate years.  It was their generation who gave so much to ensure that we can enjoy the relative peace and security that we have today".

There will be various exhibitions of life in Bromley during the Second World War on display around the Borough as well as local exhibitions in each of the local libraries.  Some Walks and Talks are also being arranged to show the part played by and in Bromley during that period.

In addition, the Council’s Education and Libraries Service has been granted £11,700 by the Lottery Fund under its "Their Past Your Future" programme.  A range of activities will be arranged to encourage Bromley’s young people to think about the reasons for the commemorative events which will be taking place, and explore the themes of conflict and reconciliation.

Ten primary schools will work on an archive of memory, photographs, writing and artwork.  Children from two secondary and four primary schools will work with established children’s authors to create their own writing about the war.  A further six primary schools will explore the effect of evacuation on young people, leading to an exhibition in The Glades shopping centre.

Outcomes of the project will include DVDs, web-based tutorials and other learning materials which will have a lasting value to children learning about the Second World War.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

The main thrust of the commemorations are:

• 29th April - Patriotic matinee performance at the Churchill Theatre for veterans by the West Wickham Operatic Society.
• Early May - Planting of poppy plants in each of our schools with veterans attending.
• 8th May - A parade from Bromley Town Centre to Norman Park followed by a Drum Head Service and entertainment in Norman Park commencing at 2pm.  This is an open event for all residents.
• 3rd May - An indoor street party for elderly residents from residential homes and day centres.
• 15th August - A VJ reception, Service of Thanksgiving and entertainment in the grounds of the Bromley Civic Centre for Far East veterans.
• 3rd September - A Service of Thanksgiving in St George’s RAF Chapel at Biggin Hill in the presence of representatives of the nations who had pilots flying from Biggin Hill, followed by a reception in a marquee at Biggin Air Fair.  A related exhibition will be open to the public at the Air Fair.
• 13th November - All the Borough’s public war memorials are to have a plaque affixed stating that the memorial also commemorates those members of the armed forces killed in conflicts/peace missions since the Second World War. The plaques will be dedicated during the normal Remembrance Sunday wreath-laying ceremonies.