VE Day 80

Further details will be added to this page as soon as they are confirmed.

VE Day 80 in Sandwich

Guildhall Forecourt, Cattle Market, Sandwich CT13 9AE

The Union flag will be raised at 9am.

From 6pm

• Bells from St Peter's and St Clements churches will ring out from 6.30pm
• LouLou Swings will entertain the crowds from 7pm, plus a 1940s military bar run by the Medieval Trust.
• The last working searchlight in the UK will be switched on (to act as a beacon) at 9.30pm

During the week

• Leave to Land exhibition in the Guildhall Courtroom remembering a time when Sandwich welcomed and hosted Jewish refugees escaping the Holocaust.
• A number of Dunkirk Little Ships will moor along The Quay, celebrating the 85th anniversary of Operation Dynamo, before leaving for Ramsgate to take part in the Little Ships crossing on 16 May.

VE Day 80 in Dover

Marina Curve, Clock Tower, Square, Dover CT17 9FS

5–9.30pm

• Dover Town Council will mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day with an evening of entertainment on the Marina Curve. Details below.
• Beacon lighting at 9.30pm.
• Free poppy painting workshop.

VE Day in St Margaret's Bay

6pm - a service at St Margaret's-at-Cliffe parish church

7.15pm - in the Bay outside The Coastguard:

• Lissie Lark (1940s singer)
• St Margaret's Players performance
• Remembering those that have fallen with the Royal British Legion
• Lighting the Beacon of Peace at 9.30pm.

The Coastguard and The Kiosk will be open all evening.

Other VE Day 80 celebrations

Many pubs and other venues across the district will be holding VE day celebrations. Please keep an eye on their social media pages for information.

The Rock Rose, Dover - 12-6pm - 40s themed fancy dress competition, the Landmark Choir, Gary Cordes live music and the Swingtime Sweethearts, kids' activities and tombola.

The Lantern Inn, Martin - 40’s music all day long. Published war poet David Lilburn reading his own verse. Live entertainment starting around 7pm.