The 80th anniversary of VE Day was marked by Pembrokeshire County Council on Thursday, May 8 at County Hall in Haverfordwest.

Councillors and staff gathered at County Hall for the VE Day 80 proclamation, read in Welsh by Cllr Delme Harries, Member Champion for Welsh language and in English by Cllr Simon Hancock, the Presiding Member and Member Champion for Armed Forces.

A special VE Day 80 flag was raised and staff and Members gathered together to sing wartime songs, led by Sarah Benbow.

Councillors and staff gathered at County Hall for the VE Day 80 proclamation, read in Welsh by Cllr Delme Harries, Member Champion for Welsh language and in English by Cllr Simon Hancock, the Presiding Member and Member Champion for Armed Forces.
Councillors and staff gathered at County Hall for the VE Day 80 proclamation, read in Welsh by Cllr Delme Harries, Member Champion for Welsh language and in English by Cllr Simon Hancock, the Presiding Member and Member Champion for Armed Forces. (Pic supplied)

In the foyer of County Hall, which had been decorated with Union Flag bunting, Pembrokeshire Archives had created a fascinating VE Day exhibition of local news items dating to May 8th 1945.

Hundreds of fantastic posters relating to VE Day completed by Pembrokeshire schoolchildren added colour to the occasion.

County Hall was also lit in red and blue to mark the anniversary.

Presiding Member Cllr Hancock said: “It was an honour to read the VE Day 80th proclamation.

In the foyer of County Hall, which had been decorated with Union Flag bunting, Pembrokeshire Archives had created a fascinating VE Day exhibition of local news items dating to May 8th 1945.
In the foyer of County Hall, which had been decorated with Union Flag bunting, Pembrokeshire Archives had created a fascinating VE Day exhibition of local news items dating to May 8th 1945. (Pic supplied)

“It was a lovely service and great to see the VE Day flag flying at County Hall.

“As the proclamation stated: ‘We remember those we lost, those who were wounded or scarred and those whose lives were forever changed by war.’

“We thank them for everything they did so that we enjoy our freedoms today.”

Cllr Jon Harvey, Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, added: “The 80th anniversary of VE Day has provided a timely opportunity to remember the sacrifices of the Second World War generation.

The 80th anniversary of VE Day was marked by Pembrokeshire County Council on Thursday, May 8 at County Hall in Haverfordwest.
The 80th anniversary of VE Day was marked by Pembrokeshire County Council on Thursday, May 8 at County Hall in Haverfordwest. (Pic supplied)

“It was an honour to be part of the commemorations at County Hall to pay tribute and remember the day peace was secured and victory declared across Europe.”

Cllrs Harvey and Hancock added their thanks to the Pembrokeshire Archives team for their fascinating display and to the local school children for their fantastic posters on the theme of VE Day.

Full Council was adjourned at 10.45am to allow Members to attend the Haverfordwest Town Council and Royal British Legion VE Day service at Salutation Square, Haverfordwest, and the national two-minute silence was observed at 12 midday.