VARIOUS parts of the district are starting to announce how they plan to commemorate the 75th anniversary of VE Day.

The latest plans to be announced were at Corbridge Parish Council last week where a representative from the local Royal British Legion told councillors about the plans which are being put in place.

This year, the early May Bank Holiday will be moved to Friday, May 8 to mark the anniversary.

In Corbridge, there is planned to be a thanksgiving service in the church at 2.15pm, while there will also be memory boards in place.

At 3pm, the local branch of the Royal British Legion has organised for a piper to play Battle’s O’er, as well as a specially composed tune VE 75 Years.

Thousands of other pipers will perform it at locations throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and in countries such as Australia, Canada, the USA, Germany, South Africa, Belgium, Holland, France, Spain and Denmark.

It was at 3pm on May 8, 1945 that British Prime Minister Winston Churchill announced that the war in Europe was over.

On Saturday, May 9, there is then planned to be a ‘bring your own picnic’ event in Corbridge. While plans still need to be confirmed, there is hoped to be children’s attractions, singers and a blind raffle creating a family-friendly event.