Abbey Foregate will be the centre for the day which is being organised by Shrewsbury Severn Rotary Club to mark the 80th anniversary of the Allied Forces accepting the Nazi’s unconditional surrender from World War 2.
During the war Shrewsbury’s sky was protected by the Air Raid Precaution HQ (ARP) located in the Abbey Station building.
Shrewsbury Severn Rotary Club is therefore keen to centre the celebrations in the Abbey Foregate area and to hold the event need the road to be closed to public vehicles between 7.00 am and 4.30 pm.
Rotary club president David Morris, who is principal organiser of the event which is his brainchild, said today that normal rights of access for residents – in a car or on foot – would remain exactly as they are at the moment.
A letter has been previously hand delivered to local residents by willing volunteers and formal notice consequently served on Shrewsbury Town Council.
Further advanced activity has included David meeting Shropshire Council’s traffic engineer to look at traffic management and on-site highway signage.
The consequence of the Shrewsbury VE Day Celebration is that Abbey Foregate – the one-way section around north of the Abbey Church – will be closed from o/s 13 to The Gables.
Parking will be suspended from opposite 18 to opposite 24 to facilitate a display of military vehicles.
On Saturday May 31 there will be a re-creation of the ARP HQ inside the Abbey Station building with a WW2 Glenn Millier tribute concert within the Abbey Church in the evening.
On the Sunday however, David continues to work towards holding a WW2 military vehicle display on the road itself.
He said: “This will be the section of Abbey Foregate leading from Abbey Hardware (no.15) to The Gables (no.41) at its junction with the section of highway leading to Underdale Road.
“Parking will be suspended from opposite 18 to opposite 24 to facilitate display of military vehicles.
“This section of road will be closed to public' traffic - so that display vehicles can be parked - but access for emergencies, residents and church visitors will always be available.
“For safety reasons we would be grateful if everyone could help us to keep any vehicle movements to an absolute minimum. If anyone has any concerns or requirements regarding large deliveries or vehicle movements I can be contacted on 01743 232651 or 07773 537564.”
He added: “This event will bring many additional visitors into this part of town with a consequently advantageous effect on the prosperity of businesses in the vicinity.
“We are working in close partnership with the Abbey Church and Headway to raise money for both organisations as well as the Rotary Club’s other partners which include the Shrewsbury Foodbank.
“I do hope that that as many as possible will be able to enjoy the celebration with us.”
He can also be contacted for more information about the VE Day Celebration.