A national two minute national will take place to honour the 80th anniversary of VE Day to remember and thank those who fought for our freedom.
The two-minute silence will take place at 12pm on Thursday (May 8) for people across the island to pause and reflect on the 80th anniversary of the day in 1945 which marked the end of the Second World War in Europe.
Guidance from the government advises that Manx national flags should fly at full mast, rather than at half mast, in line with the commemoration of the anniversary and to mark the Isle of Man’s involvement with the First and Second World Wars.
Flags should be flown at full mast, where possible, for the week beginning May 5, including Thursday, May 8.
Honour VE Day
Additional seating is now available for a free, two-hour big band concert and Drumhead service at the Villa Marina on the evening of the VE Day anniversary.
Island support for the event has filled lower level seating and tickets can now be booked for seats upstairs.
- The concert and service start at 7pm and finish at 9pm. Please book free tickets for the concert and Drumhead Service through the Villa Marina box office online, in person, or call 600555.
- At 9.30pm a commemorative beacon will be lit in the grounds of the Villa Marina. Everyone is invited to attend.
Community Concert
Local musicians, soloists, schoolchildren, clergy and the Royal British Legion are coming together for the community concert.
It will feature band music from the era, solo performances by Island performers Paul Costain CP, and Nicola O’Connor, and narrations by local school pupils.
A Drumhead Service follows the concert to formally commemorate VE Day. It will be led by the Royal British Legion and include readings by the Chief Minister and His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor Sir John Lorimer.
A Drumhead Service is a traditional military religious service held in the field, using drums as a makeshift altar.
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