VE Day 80
Today, 8 May 2025, it is the 80th anniversary of VE Day – the end of the Second World War in Europe.
Published: 8 May 2025
This is an important reminder of the sacrifices made by ordinary men, women and animals – sacrifices that secured our freedom from fascism. VE Day 80 is a tribute to them and also a powerful reminder of the need to stand against those who attempt to erode people’s hard-fought freedoms.
Burlescombe Parish Council secured a special VE80 flag for the occasion, which you can now see flying over St Mary’s Church in Burlescombe.
And thank you to the creative activities group who have created a beautiful display outside Westleigh URC Hall, including an explanation of what the different colour poppies mean.
On the Devon Heritage website you can find out a bit about those from Burlescombe who gave their lives in the war. Their names can be found on the Plaque in St Mary’s Church.
https://www.devonheritage.org/Places/Burlescombe/BurlescombeWarMemorials.htm
And on the BBC archives, you can read the story of the Clapton family who were evacuated to Burlescombe during the Second World War.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/19/a2365319.shtml