Jane Summerville
Jane Summerville
5 days ago
What's On

Flying the VE 80 Flag will start St Mary’s, Felpham, to begin a day of events this Thursday 8 May

The flagpole on the Tower of St Mary’s Church, Felpham will fly the special VE 80 flag, at 9.00 am this Thursday to start a day of commemorative events at St Mary’s, Felpham. Come along for coffee and a bring and buy cake sale at 10.00 am in the St Mary’s Centre where you’ll also be able to see a small exhibition of wartime memorabilia and read some people’s recollections.

The flagpole in readiness to fly the special flag for VE Day on Thursday.

At the other end of the day - so come along after work, if you can - St Mary’s Bell Ringers will ring the Church bells along with bells across Europe.

Then, at 7.00 pm, there will be a guided tour of the 14 WW2 graves that are in St Mary’s Churchyard. The youngest of the Fallen in these graves was aged 18 when he was killed. (Wear suitable footwear for uneven terrain.)

The youngest of the Fallen in the WW2 graves in St Mary’s Churchyard, Felpham
The youngest of the Fallen in the WW2 graves in St Mary’s Churchyard, Felpham Credit: Jane Summerville

At 8.30 pm, there will be a Church Service of Remembrance - a special service with music, hymns, prayers, readings and the National Anthem. Everyone is welcome whether of faith or none.

One of the stained-glass windows, in St Mary’s, Felpham that is in memory of John Kenneth Pollitt, one of the Fallen whose grave is a WW2 grave in the Churchyard
One of the stained-glass windows, in St Mary’s, Felpham that is in memory of John Kenneth Pollitt, one of the Fallen whose grave is a WW2 grave in the Churchyard Credit: Jane Summerville

The VE 80 Flag - which will only be flown this day - will be lowered at 9.00 pm and Peace Lights will be placed at each of the 14 WW2 graves.

You are then invited to gather at the Felpham War Memorial, inside the Lychgate, at 9.30 pm, to join the nation in singing “I Vow to Thee My Country”.

St Mary’s Church, in the heart of Felpham village, PO22 7NU
St Mary’s Church, in the heart of Felpham village, PO22 7NU Credit: Jane Summerville

Thursday 8 May - More than a day to remember - one to join in, too.