In May 1945, people in towns and villages across the UK took to the streets in celebration. They danced and sang in bittersweet jubilation after six long years of war in Europe. To commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day, North Wootton Village Hall will mark the occasion with a number of community events which will take place between the 3rd and 10th May 2025.
VE Day Scarecrow Trail Competition
3rd – 10th May 2025
Kickstarting our VE Day 80th Anniversary Celebrations will be a Scarecrow Trail Competition taking place from 3rd May until 10th May.
Scarecrows will be displayed in front gardens throughout North Wootton. Once entries are confirmed, you will be able to download a map from our website and take a walk around North Wootton and decide which is your favourite scarecrow. (For those unable to do so, we will upload photos and votes can be placed online too, and printed copies of the maps will also be available).
The theme is “World War II Victory” – you could create Winston Churchill, someone from the Women’s Land Army, Alan Turing and the codebreakers at Bletchley Park, soldiers, sailors, pilots and bombers… the choice is yours.
If you live in North Wootton, it is FREE to enter the competition and a prize will be awarded to the makers of the scarecrow with the most votes. If you’d like to enter and make a scarecrow for display in your front garden, please complete the entry form found here:
Winners will be announced during the VE Day 80th Anniversary Celebration on 10th May.
Learn more about how to make your scarecrow here:
- Country Living article: How To Make A Scarecrow
- Activity Village guide: Make A Scarecrow
- Video from The Grey Gardener
Flag Raising and Beacon Lighting
Thursday 8th May 2025
North Wootton will be joining the nation in coming together in celebration at 9am on Thursday 8th May, by raising the unique VE Day 80 Flag outside the Village Hall, remembering the sacrifices made by so many throughout World War II. This will be followed by the VE Day 80 Proclamation.
Outside the Village Hall at 9:30pm, there will be a beacon lighting ceremony and “The Tribute” will be read aloud. The song “I Vow To Thee My Country” will then be sung.
VE Day 80th Anniversary Celebration
Saturday 10th May
On Saturday 10th May, we will party like it’s 1945! Concluding the VE Day 80th Anniversary Celebrations will be a street party style event at the Village Hall from 11am until 5:30pm.
Priory Lane will be closed to traffic outside the Village Hall, and there will be live 1940s music from The Eddie Seales Big Band and Kelly Ann Music, food and drink concessions, and even a Hurricane Flypast by the RAF Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight.
The Mayor of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk will be in attendance, and the winners of the Scarecrow Trail Competition will be announced.
Everyone is invited to join us in 1940s fancy dress, bringing that Blitz spirit to the event.
This event is FREE for all to attend.
Thank you
The VE Day 80th Anniversary Celebrations would not be able to go ahead without the dedication of the Village Hall Management Committee, patrons of the Village Hall, and our sponsors and donors… Thank you. Thank you also to the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and to Norfolk County Council for support with the road closure. We must thank the National Lottery Community Fund – without their grant, we would not be able to make this event free for all to attend.
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