Compere Brian Moore welcomes hundreds to Coleraine's 80th VE Day anniversary

News Letter

Residents across the Causeway Coast and Glens gathered in Coleraine on Thursday to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day with a day of remembrance, celebration, and reflection.  Organised by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, the commemorative programme featured a range of events, culminating in a symbolic beacon lighting ceremony at The Diamond to honour those who served and sacrificed during World War II.  Festivities began with a VE Day Tea Dance at New Row Presbyterian Church Hall. Queen Street was transformed into a bustling military village, where living historians offered insights into wartime life. Meanwhile, Church Street hosted a static display of WWII military vehicles, drawing interest from attendees of all ages.  At 6:30pm, church bells rang out across the Borough in a moving moment of reflection and unity.  Evening entertainment in The Diamond, led by compere Brian Moore, included live performances from The Leading Ladies, whose vintage harmonies and spirited renditions captivated the crowd. The square was adorned with festive decorations and picnic tables, creating a welcoming space for families and visitors.

Transcript

00:00way back then everyone 18 years ago my goodness me anyway your local council

00:06have been on all sorts of things here by way of our celebration of the celebration

00:12of VE day 18 years ago we have three lovely ladies coming up here in just a

00:17minute we also have the competition to design the mug competition we've got the

00:24winners for that there we've got the Victoria Lagan Dance and Drama School

00:29and we've got the D. H. Christie Memorial Primary School we're going to come up

00:34and sing a few songs for you as well so it's gonna be a lovely evening here wish I got the barbecue

00:42the convention is seeing many years ago everyone it was almost six years of an absolutely horrendous war

00:53my my own father was involved although he didn't have to go to war and such but he was involved back

01:03here but it was absolutely horrendous the stories that came from that of course all the films that

01:10you'll see be it Schinders List or whatever all the horrendous things that we heard about and then all of a

01:17sudden after almost six years it was over the German army signed complete surrender with no conditions

01:29whatsoever they had no choice and peace was declared and every time and the land throughout Europe had

01:38bumping up and the bars stayed open until the wee small hours and people partied and were absolutely

01:45overjoyed of course there were families who hadn't really a reason to be overjoyed because their family had gone to

01:55war and they didn't come back again such as these memorials that you see at either end of the town hall so

02:01it uh it was bittersweet for them but generally after almost six years of buildings being bombed people

02:09being bombed out of their houses uh relations being killed awful things happening all of a sudden it was

02:16over and the whole world decided to party the war went on in the far east a little bit longer just a few

02:23months longer but then it was soon over as well so it's vee day and we're going to have a little

02:30celebration of our own here um the reason

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