Thursday 8 May commemorates the 80th anniversary of VE (Victory in Europe) Day, the day which in 1945 saw the end of war in Europe and the beginning of the end of WWII. Carlisle will be celebrating throughout the day. From 9am to 5pm, there will be a VE Day poppy table at Carlisle Railway Station. At 12pm, a parade and wreath laying will take place at the war memorial in the city centre. At 5.45pm, there will be a special Civic Evensong at Carlisle Cathedral, followed by the cathedral bells at 6.30pm. In the evening, at Carlisle Castle, the lighting of the ‘Light of Peace’ will take place at 9pm, accompanied by dignitaries and cadets, plus VE Day memories by Muriel Kemp and Rocket Theatre will perform the VE Day hymn ‘I vow to Thee My Country’ and a medley of WW2 songs. This will be followed by a Victory in Europe 1945 reading and The Last Post. At 9.30pm, alongside other parishes across the country, the lighting of the beacon will take place, with Kohima epitaph, raise standards, and the national anthem. From 9.30pm, Carlisle Cathedral, the Citadel, and Devonshire Street will be floodlit with red, white, and blue colours. Please come along and support your local Royal British Legion (Carlisle and Stanwix branch).