Henry Smith urges Crawley to commemorate VE Day

Henry Smith urges Crawley to commemorate VE Day

Henry Smith, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Crawley, has given his support to local and national plans to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, on 8th May 2015.

There will be a service on the anniversary itself, in the Memorial Gardens, which will be organised by the Royal British Legion. The Mayor of Crawley, Cllr Brenda Smith, will be lighting the Tilgate Park beacon, accompanied by a young cadet and a local veteran, as part of the national commemorations, which will see over 100 beacons lit across the country.

Henry said;

“I welcome the confirmation of plans for the local and national commemorations of VE Day.

“It is good to see the beacon in Tilgate Park will be lit – I actually wrote to Crawley Borough Council last month requesting that this takes place.”

The Government have announced that funding will be provided for Second World War veterans, to go towards the cost of travel to attend events in London for the 70th anniversary of VE Day.

Veterans are invited to the national commemorations organised by HM Government taking place in the capital over the weekend of 8th to 10th May, and it is hoped the funding will enable more to attend.

Second World War veterans wishing to attend are asked to accredit as soon as possible, and assistance will be provided to those without access to the internet.

All veterans can be accompanied by a companion, or family member.

Registration is available at:

The funding towards travel costs has been made available from through LIBOR fines levied and will be administered the Big Lottery Fund.

Henry continued;

“I hope that the funding from the Government will enable veterans from Crawley and beyond to attend the national VE Day commemorations.

“During the last five years as Member of Parliament for Crawley, I regularly think of how we have our armed forces to thank for our free and fair democracy.

“I was delighted when Crawley Town FC accepted my request for them to join the Tickets for Troops scheme last year, and it is an honour to work with organisations such as ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, and the Royal British Legion both locally and nationally.”


Related articles:
Henry Smith MP calls on Crawley to commemorate VE Day
18 March 2015

External links:
VE Day 70th anniversary day of commemorations (Crawley Borough Council)
20 April 2015
Funding announced for veterans to attend VE Day 70 Commemorations (UK Government)
22 April 2015