By KLTV Newsdesk –

A night of remembrance, music and unity to honour the legacy of war heroes

The National Coal Mining Museum will host a poignant and uplifting evening on Thursday 8 May to commemorate 80 years since Victory in Europe Day.

The VE Day 80 celebration will feature a range of activities, culminating in the lighting of a beacon as part of a nationwide tribute.

The event, running from 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm, promises to be a memorable occasion, combining reflection and festivity to honour those who served and to celebrate the peace that followed.

A Fitting Tribute to Wartime Sacrifice

One of the evening’s most symbolic moments will be the lighting of the beacon at 9:30 pm, in honour of the Bevin Boys – young men conscripted to work in the mines during the Second World War.

The flames will be part of a wider national effort, with over a thousand beacons and hundreds of ‘Lamp Lights of Peace’ set to shine across the UK.

Lynn Dunning, CEO of the National Coal Mining Museum for England, spoke about the event’s importance: “We are honoured to celebrate 80 years of peace on VE Day 80 at the National Coal Mining Museum for England.

“It will be a poignant evening of reflection, unity, and celebration.

“From the lighting of the beacon to the stirring sounds of a Military band, we invite everyone to come together and commemorate the sacrifices made for the freedoms we cherish today, and remember the role of the Bevin Boys.”

Evening of Reflection and Celebration

Visitors to the museum can enjoy a wide array of activities throughout the evening, including:

• Poetry Readings, offering powerful reflections on wartime experience

• Live performance by the Yorkshire Military Band, bringing an emotive soundtrack to the occasion

• Fish and Chip Supper, adding a traditional British touch to the festivities

• Tunnel Tours, where guests can explore a new immersive experience that tells the story of coal mining through the ages

• Games, quizzes, crafts and refreshments, with activities suitable for all ages

A National Moment of Unity

The event at the museum is part of a broader national celebration led by Bruno Peek CVO OBE OPR, the long-standing Pageantmaster of major UK commemorations.

With a distinguished history of organising events from the Queen’s jubilees to D-Day 80, Bruno is once again at the helm for VE Day 80.

“We, as a nation and alongside our allies, are committed to making this the largest celebration of the Victory in Europe since the day it was announced 80 years ago by the great Winston Churchill,” said Peek.

“It’s a time to pay tribute to the many millions who sacrificed so much for the freedoms we all enjoy today.”

This year’s commemoration focuses not only on remembrance, but also on celebrating reconciliation and enduring peace.

With communities coming together across the country, VE Day 80 serves as a powerful reminder of what can be achieved through unity and shared purpose.