As residents continue to come together with the nation to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day, the two-minutes silence was observed across Bromley today (8 May 2025).
Ahead of VE Day, residents have been holding street parties across the borough to mark the historic occasion, some of which have been capturing national attention, with the Mayor of Bromley joining for the festivities.
A service of reflection was held for VE Day at St George’s RAF Chapel in Biggin Hill, which was joined by the Mayor and other guests. Attendees reflected on the significance of the occasion, particularly locally, with the historic Biggin Hill airfield having been used by heroic pilots during the Battle of Britain to defend the nation. Elsewhere, the Deputy Mayor joined residents in Orpington town centre for the two-minutes silence, just as others are doing all across the nation, to collectively recognise the significance of all that was achieved 80 years ago in 6 long years of war.
The Mayor of Bromley, Councillor David Jefferys said: “While this anniversary represents a joyous day in our history, commemorating the hard-fought victory for our nation’s freedom, we must also remember the heroic sacrifices of so many that led to this achievement and the relative peace we have since enjoyed. I have been struck by the passion I have already seen across the borough as we come together to remember and celebrate this importance occasion in Bromley. Joining several residents in local care homes for VE day commemorations was especially poignant.”
The Mayor added, “My parents were very much involved in the second World War, with my father, injured at El Alamein, landing on D Day and his regiment entering Berlin. We must remember and continue to strive for justice and peace as the King's Scout so movingly reminded us at the end of the service at Westminster Abbey."
VE Day festivities are continuing today (8 May) and this weekend across the nation and the borough, with beacon lighting events held this evening, including by Knoll Residents’ Association and the Royal British Legion in Hayes. Care homes, Chislehurst Rotary and Biggin Hill Memorial Museum are also amongst those holding special festivities for the occasion.
Memorial services were also held this week for International Firefighter Memorial Day, including in Penge by the Royal British Legion, where the Mayor and Mayoress joined to remember the firefighters lost defending the public during the second World War.
Bromley has more veterans than any other London Borough and the council signed the Armed Forces Covenant in 2023 to renew its commitment to supporting the armed forces community, with further organisations and businesses across the borough also encouraged to make this pledge. Further information about the armed forces community in Bromley, including support that is available, is found at www.bromley.gov.uk/ArmedForces.
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For media enquiries, please contact James George, Senior Public Affairs Officer, on 020 8313 4565 or email james.george@bromley.gov.uk.