A HARLOW woman was a special guest at the Memorial Service at Westminster Abbey, part of the VE Day 80 commemorations this week. Mavis Lilley, aged 94, was accompanied by her family members, a number of whom had served in the army. Her daughter Sarah…

HARLOW charity, Rainbow Services were proud to organise a VE Day Afternoon Tea on Thursday for over 150 seniors to celebrate the 80th anniversary since Victory in Europe was declared. Members shared war time memories, their family’s service history, photographs and medals prior to the…

FRESHWATERS Primary Academy marked the 80th anniversary of VE Day by taking to the fields. With a little bit of choreography and the use of a drone, the pupils made a human 80 to pay their tribute to the special day. https://youtu.be/9mJLGmX8vQQ?si=sQOnCESAEx81QfXw

AT 6.30pm on Thursday May 8th, the bells rang out in a number of churches across the United Kingdom to markk the 80th anniversary of VE Day. The churches that rang out in Harlow included St Mary’s in Great Parndon, St Mary’s in Old Harlow…

A CEREMONY was held on Playhouse Square on Thursday night to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day. The ceremony was hosted by the chair of Harlow Council, cllr Andrew Johnson. Speeches were made by Rev Jokey Poyntz of Little Parndon Church, the managing director…

IN a heartwarming tribute to history and community spirit, Purford Green Primary School marked the 80th anniversary of VE Day with a delightful street party lunch and an afternoon concert on the field. One of the highlights of the event was a concert featuring pupils…

ESSEX firefighters with military backgrounds are paying tribute this VE Day by sharing powerful personal stories and reflections, reminding us why it’s so important to keep honouring those who served. VE Day (Victory in Europe Day) marks the end of the Second World War in…

AS you may appreciate, there has been an increase in VE Day commemorations as the years have passed. With many veterans in their late nineties, we may not see their likes again. We went down to the newspaper archive at Harlow Museum to see how…

“They served their country with bravery, pride and honour – they set an example for us all” – that’s from our Chief Constable as Essex Police remembers its officers who served during World War Two. A total of 291 officers from the Essex, Southend, and…

THE BELLS are set to ring out at St Mary Magdalene Church to mark the commemorations for Victory in Europe Day. St Mary Magdalene is situated on Church Road in Potter Street. The church will be open from 6pm for private prayer or meditation. Their…

AS we publish some of the biographies of the 32 men of Harlow who died in World War Two, we were struck by the number of times, the final line referred to their widow never marrying again and living to quite an age. We thought…

IN the run up to VE Day 80 on May 8th, we will repeat the biographies of the men from the villages in around rural Harlow who gave their lives for our freedom. Thirty three men from Harlow lost their lives. The youngest was aged…

A SPECIAL service was held to commemorate the role of a US air bombardment group near Matching Green in Harlow. The Nissen Huts on Anchor Lane were once hospital beds for the US airmen. The Lord-Lieutenant Jennifer Tolhurtst attended the ceremony along with Lt Colonel Dan…

IN the run up to VE Day 80 on May 8th, we will repeat the biographies of the men from the villages in around rural Harlow who gave their lives for our freedom. The villages of Harlow, Potter Street, Netteswell and Great Parndon saw brave…