Celebrating VE Day 80 – A Day to Remember in Dartmouth
Dartmouth came together in a truly wonderful way to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day with a series of heartfelt and joyful events. Across several days, our town paid tribute to this important moment in history – honouring the past, celebrating the present, and bringing our community closer together.
The celebrations began on Thursday, 8th May, with a very special Tea Dance in the Guildhall, held especially for local care home residents and the older generation of Dartmouth. The event was a beautiful tribute to those who remember VE Day first-hand. Guests enjoyed a lovely buffet generously donated by Community Chest, a 1940s sing-along, and, most importantly, a warm and lively atmosphere where stories were shared, memories revisited, and plenty of dancing was had. It was a wonderful afternoon filled with joy, nostalgia, and community spirit.
The main VE Day 80 celebration took place on Sunday, 11th May, with residents and visitors gathering together for a full day of music performed by the BRNC Volunteer Band, dancing, reflection, and fun. From start to finish, it was a day that captured the heart and soul of Dartmouth.
We would like to offer a huge thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the event so special. Your energy and enthusiasm brought the celebration to life.
A special thank you goes to:
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Cllr Mike Rowley, for leading the event with great care and enthusiasm
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Cllr Dawn Shepherd, for organising and leading the Tea Dance and for all her hard work throughout the celebrations
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Community Chest, for their ongoing support and generous contribution to the Tea Dance buffet
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Dartmouth Rotary, for running the bar with friendliness and efficiency
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Bays Brewery, for their kind donation of beer
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Explore Dartmouth and Jenny Koos, for their valuable contributions
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The dedicated DTC Staff, who managed logistics and setup behind the scenes
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Ken Wood, whose DJ skills kept the music flowing and the mood high
- Cllr Nick Davies for his organisation of the war time jeeps at the event, which were so well received
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And last but certainly not least, all the amazing volunteers who gave their time, energy, and enthusiasm – thank you!
Together, we created a series of events that not only commemorated VE Day, but also reminded us of the strength of our community and the importance of remembering those who came before us.
Thank you, Dartmouth – for showing once again what makes our town so special.