TO COMMEMORATE the 70th Anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day, two special events have been organised to take place in Pembrokeshire’s county town.

VE Day marked the formal conclusion of Hitler’s war, ending six years of misery, suffering, courage and endurance across the world.

Millions of people had been killed, rationing continued and there were still three months of fighting ahead, but for a few hours ordinary people took to the streets to celebrate.

Pembrokeshire County Council, Haverfordwest Town Council and the Haverfordwest Branch of the Royal British Legion are holding a special VE Day Service at the Cenotaph in Salutation Square, Haverfordwest, at 11am on Friday, May 8.

All members of the public are invited to attend, and participate in the two minute silence.

There will be a wreath laying ceremony involving dignitaries, members of the Royal British Legion and senior students from local schools.

“Everyone who lived through the Second World War remembers what they were doing when the end of the conflict in Europe was announced on May 8th, 1945,” said Ken Humphreys of the Haverfordwest Branch of the Royal British Legion. “VE Day was a day of celebration and bittersweet emotions. Seventy years on we want to capture the joy and emotion of VE Day and salute Britain’s greatest generation.

“We hope all Pembrokeshire’s communities will join in the VE Day commemorations as a way of thanking all those who played a part in the Second World War, and to celebrate the role they played in our nation’s history.”

A VE Day 70th Anniversary Tea Party and Dance has been organised to take place in the grounds of Haverfordwest Castle on Saturday, May 16, from 3pm to 4pm. The event will feature a Museum display and marquee, and, again, anyone is welcome to attend.