Weymouth is supporting the national Victory in Europe (VE) beacon lighting celebrations on Friday 8 May.
As part of the celebrations, there will be traditional beacon lighting at the Nothe Fort, which will be hosted by the Mayor of Weymouth and Portland with local veterans and the sea cadets in attendance. The beacon will be visible from the stone pier in Weymouth.
At the same time, a second beacon will be ‘lit’. The base of Weymouth Tower will appear to become engulfed in flames, the fire creeping up the structure as the gondola rises, creating a 173ft tribute to Dorset’s veterans.
Weymouth Tower, a viewing platform that provides guests with stunning views of the Jurassic coastline, is located on Weymouth seafront. Should the evening be a clear one, people can view the lighting of Weymouth Tower up to 20 miles away and from multiple locations along the esplanade.
Matt Ryan, Tourism and Events Manager at Weymouth & Portland Borough Council said:
“We are delighted to be able to organise this Beacon lighting event in Weymouth.
“VE Day represents an important date in the history of Britain. It was the day that peace was declared and brought to an end almost six years of war across Europe.”
Tamsin Mutton-McKnight, General Manager of Weymouth Tower, commented: ‘Weymouth Tower has, over the last few years, become an integral part of the Weymouth community and we are honoured to be a part of this very poignant tribute to our soldiers.”
The borough council’s events team will be working with Weymouth Tower, Weymouth Pavilion technical team and Nothe Fort to present these two beacon lighting events at 9.32pm on Friday 8 May.
The beacons will offer a focal point to enable local communities to remember the many sacrifices that were made to secure the peace we enjoy today.
In addition to the beacon lighting, Portland will be hosting a special VE picnic at Easton Gardens on Saturday 9 May from 11.30am to 4.30pm. This free event encourages the local community to bring a picnic and share the afternoon celebrating VE day with a unique mix of Military nostalgia and entertainment.
The programme includes:
• Weymouth Concert Brass
• Bittersweet Harmony
• Carefree Choir
• Military vehicle display
• Free family fun and games
