VE Day – Ely Cathedral

Lighting up red, white and blue, commemorative worship, music, bunting and bellringing – all our cathedrals are getting ready to remember, reflect and give thanks to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for peace in our times.

VE DAY 80 – join us in a shared moment of celebration and remembrance.

More VE Day 2025 events here.

Ely Cathedral is planning to light its West Tower with white spotlights and the Galilee porch will be internally lit red, white and blue.

There will be a series of events across the city including proclamations from the Town Crier, the raising of the VE flag in the Market Square, a lunchtime recital in the cathedral when the bugle will sound for the reading of the National Tribute by the Mayor and there are special military guided tours.

The special VE Day tours will include stories of:

• The heroic dash by a Royal Navy Destroyer with M.I.6 Agents, to snatch members of the Dutch Royal family, diplomats and all of Holland’s industrial diamonds from under the very nose of the Nazi onslaught on Amsterdam
• The terrible price paid by the courageous R.A.F. Bomber-Command aircrews to destroy Hitler’s war-aims.
• The Cambridgeshire regiments sent to the other side of the world who suffered tragic loss, trying to save Singapore. And the mystery of the missing regiment’s drums.
• The evacuees and the refugees who made a temporary home on the Fens.
• The people of the fens on the Homefront who coped with the privations of the ‘war-years ‘with stoic fortitude and inventiveness. The tour is at ground level only.

There is free admission and free places on tours to all veterans and current servicing personnel (subject to availability*).

Please find here info on Ely’s VE Day plans, including special Military Tours here.

Thursday 8th May will mark 80 years since the end of the Second World War in Europe. To commemorate this occasion, the Government has announced an events programme between Bank Holiday Monday (5th May) and VE Day (8th May), culminating in a nationwide celebration of this historic day. You can check out all the events near you by clicking here.