Tomorrow, Abingdon will commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day with displays and events in the town.
The Abingdon Bridge charity, based in the old Police Station, has Union Jack bunting and flags round its blue door. Its window reads “VE 80,”
Local shopfronts have also joined in. Helen & Douglas House, the Oxford-based children’s hospice charity, features mannequins dressed in red, white, and blue, accompanied by Union Jack flags.
Acacia, as always, has a colourful themed window display.
At The Shed, a Union Jack-themed window display includes cushions and teasets and a union jack fire guard.
In Bath Street, the two Masons have dressed their shopfronts in creative red white and blue fabrics, wools and ribbons. Both with the theme “VE Day 1945–2025.” Mason in Stert Street also has a good display.
At the centre of the commemorations, the Royal British Legion club has silhouettes of soldiers, giant poppies, and a large Union Jack, paying tribute to those who served from 1939 to 1945.
This is just a small sample. Abingdon is ready to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
overwelmed by the effort the councils have made with the massive no of union jacks they have put up all over town, probably worried they might offend someone
This is a very crass comment. I cannot comment on the absence of bunting but I am sure the Town Council is not “worried they might offend someone.” The Town Council is always at the forefront of organising events to commemorate national occasions and the Union Flag flies proudly from the County Hall.
I for one am getting bored with the constant wingeing of some people who keep trying to pretend that government and councils are somehow anti British. Unfortunately I suspect we will have to get used to more of this nonsense.
From afar, it is wonderful to see the trouble the town has gone to in celebration & remembrance. Not everywhere does it so well.
As a long-serving Town Councillor, who has tried their best to represent Abingdon residents for many years, I found “Moanagain”‘s comments really dispiriting.
Abingdon Town Council is proud of our long-standing association with our Armed Forces – as has been recognised by the fact that the “Borough of Abingdon” and later the “Town of Abingdon” granted the Freedom of the Town to both RAF Abingdon and several Regiments of the Army. I personally know that over the last 25 years the Town Council has supported, arranged, and sponsored numerous events – including this year the VE/VJ 80th anniversary events.
Today’s commemoration event at the War Memorial, and this evening’s VE80 Concert were very memorable and poignant occasions. Indeed, this evening’s event was especially memorable as it concluded with a heart-felt statement from Ava and Imogen, whose fathers are currently serving away from Abingdon.
Abingdon should be proud that so many people devote so much time and energy (across all walks of life) to making the Town a great place to live in.