Dacorum Borough Council criticised for VE Day plans
On May 8, it will be eighty years since the Second World War in Europe came to an end
A Hertfordshire council has been criticised for not putting on an event to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day this spring.
On May 8, it will be eighty years since the Second World War in Europe came to an end, with Germany surrendering to the Allied forces.
To mark the occasion, Dacorum Borough Council has encouraged residents to hold street parties – but will not be holding an event of its own.
At a council meeting on Wednesday (April 2), Conservative group leader Cllr Andrew Williams suggested there was “dwindling” support for events relating to Britain’s armed forces, while his party colleague Cllr Graeme Elliot said he was “dismayed” by the lack of a council event.
He said: “My father fought in that war, I had an uncle that died in the battle of France. That was the golden generation.
“Is it more important for Dacorum Borough Council to celebrate 50 years or we celebrate the golden generation that gave us our freedom from fascism?”
Last autumn, the council organised an event in Hemel Hempstead town centre to commemorate the authority’s 50th anniversary.
Cllr Caroline Smith-Wright, portfolio holder for people and transformation, responded: “We honour all veterans.
My grandfather also fought, and my great-grandfather, so I come from a military background, so I do take it very seriously.
“We have decided, at this point, to enable communities to come together and have street parties, and that is for the community, that is for everybody.
“It doesn’t just leave the elite and people to parade; this is about normal people celebrating in their communities, bringing people together, sharing food, sitting at a table, celebrating, and I think that’s a fine way to celebrate VE Day.”
“We are empowering the residents to be imaginative. We don’t have to do everything for the residents; they can do their own thing,” she said.
Dacorum Borough Council had provided guidance for residents who wanted to apply to Hertfordshire County Council to run a street party.
The council’s decision not to hold an event of its own was also criticised by Labour Cllr Pete Hannell and independent Cllr Jan Maddern.
Cllr Hannell said it could have been a “really powerful” event given the ongoing war in Ukraine, while Cllr Maddern said the council should “do better”.
She said: “We missed, in effect, the 75th anniversary of VE Day because were in Covid.
“I can remember having a street party where we all sat on our drives in my little cul-de-sac, safe distancing from everybody else.
“This would have been a fantastic opportunity to pick that up.”