Mirfield gears up to remember VE Day
NEXT year’s early May Bank Holiday has been moved by the Government to coincide with the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day.
And to mark the celebration of the end of the Second World War, Mirfield is planning a big commemoration. A town council-funded committee is organising a weekend of events with the theme Mirfield Remembers.
The Mirfield Armistice and Memorial Committee was set up in partnership with the local Royal British Legion branch and interested parties at the suggestion of mayor Clr Martyn Bolt.
The committee has already overseen the installation of a new flagpole in Mirfield and has put in memorial benches at many locations in the town.
It is now working on installing a gateway feature to Mirfield’s Memorial Grounds as there is no immediate recognition of the purpose of the grounds, off Huddersfield Road where the cricket grounds and tennis club are.
Clr Bolt hopes the VE75 celebration will be one of the biggest events in Mirfield next year and will include a fairground – hopefully with vintage rides, music and film shows, a service or parade and a dinner to honour all veterans in Mirfield.
The events are underwritten by Mirfield Town Council and, with the support of local events organisers EJ Events, it is expected that the “holiday at home” weekend will be self-funded.
Clr Bolt said: “When the Government announced the change of bank holiday date we acted quickly to secure the Mirfield Showground and are planning what we hope will be a weekend to remember for our veterans and their families.”