This year is the 80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) and Victory over Japan (VJ) and Islanders are being encouraged to celebrate and bring people together.
Thursday 8th May 2025 marks 80 years since VE Day, when the Second World War came to an end in Europe. While 15th August is celebrated as VJ Day when the war ended in the east as Japan surrendered.
On bank holiday Monday 5th May gather your friends, family and neighbours and host a Great British Food Festival.
To help celebrate and bring people together the Isle of Wight Council will waive the land hire costs for community groups (including town, parish and community councils) to hold parties in the park and on beaches across the Island. This will help make organising an event as easy and stress-free as possible.
Residents can download a handy toolkit to help get the party started at https://ve-vjday80.gov.uk/toolkit/.
Natasha Dix, Service Director Waste, Environment and Planning, says:
‘‘Parties like this are a great opportunity for communities to come together. We want to make it as easy as possible for organised groups to hold a party to celebrate this momentous occasion.’’
‘‘For anyone organised groups wishing to hold a party in a local park or at the beach on bank holiday Monday 5 May simply visit Amenity land hire and submit your request to the council one month before the date of your event. If you are just gathering a few friends and family members, have fun and stay safe. We would like to remind everyone to please leave their environment as they found out and place any litter in bins or take it home to dispose of correctly.’’
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Celebrate freedom in the great outdoors and enjoy some Great British Food. Whether you plan a picnic party in your local park or sandwiches on the sand at the beach. Big or small gather your friends, family and neighbours.
While the Isle of Wight Council is waiving any land hire costs, licensing fees will still apply as these are a statuary requirement.
If only the country looked after ex Military
personnel.
The public can do their bit by celebrating
such events, but the public cannot do
what the Authorities can do.
Look after “all” ex Military personnel.
I’ll be on the mainland celebrating
It’s a lot cheaper to park there
But have a good time people if you can afford to park
Plus you won’t have to pay to have a p*ss