How VE Day will be celebrated in Rochdale in 2025

There have been only five applications for VE Day street parties in Rochdale

The people of Rochdale will celebrate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) next month - but only five applications for street parties have been made.

Applying to the council for road closures to mark the day World War II came to an end in Europe has been a long-held British tradition. However, this year the number of street parties will only be five, according to the council.

The local authority does plan to put on a number of events for the occasion, starting with a service of commemoration at Rochdale Cenotaph on Thursday, May 8.

Members of the armed forces, councillors, residents and local schools will come together at 10.45am, to mark the historic day when the forces of Nazi Germany were defeated by Great Britain and its allies.

Councillor Janet Emsley, Rochdale Borough Council’s lead member for the armed forces, will read an extract from Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill's famous VE Day broadcast to the nation from 8 May 1945.

At the end of the service, bells will ring out from St Chad’s Parish Church in Rochdale as well as from churches in Middleton, Heywood and the Pennines.

This will be done to commemorate the thousands of men and women from the borough who helped to secure victory, with many paying the ultimate sacrifice.

Coun Emsley said: “This will be a moving and emotional service of commemoration, as we come together to remember the historic moment when peace was secured and victory was declared across Europe.

"We remember with gratitude those brave men and women who fought to protect our freedoms, liberty and values.

“That historic spring day in 1945 was widely celebrated across our borough and, 80 years on, it is poignant that we are gathering just across from Rochdale Town Hall, where so many people had come together to mark Victory in Europe. Lest we forget.”

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