VE Day events are planned across Oldham
Reporter: Charlotte Hall, Local Democracy Reporter
Date published: 14 April 2025
Tommyfield Market and Yorkshire Street will be decorated with bunting
Oldham will be celebrating VE Day with a whole week of events and activities across the borough.
VE [Victory in Europe] Day falls on Thursday, May 8 and marks the 80th anniversary since the end of World War II.
The celebrations include veterans’ parties, performances and a small number of street parties.
Only three roads applied for temporary closures to host local street parties.
The celebrations will kick off the weekend before the anniversary, with a parade and brass band visiting Royton Cricket Club at 12 noon on Saturday, May 3.
On Sunday, May 4, Royton’s military veterans will host a knees-up at local pub Rumours from 1pm.
The event will include a singer ‘belting out songs from the 40s’, tea, coffee and soft drinks and an option to dress-up in 40s-themed garb.
Meanwhile, Oldham Council will be decorating Tommyfield Market and Yorkshire Street with bunting and hanging a commemorative card in the Spindles, outside the Next branch, where people can write meaningful messages.
This will be on display from Saturday, May 3 to VE Day on Thursday, May 8.
The council is also putting on a show at Tommyfield Market on VE day itself, with a visit from vintage-style singer Abbi-Kaye (Viva la Vintage) at 10am, 12pm and 2pm on Thursday, May 8.
The Barnsley-born professional events singer specialises in jazz, swing, soul and rock and roll covers.
The Civic Tower will be lit up to mark VE Day – the last ever time OMBC plans to light up the structure.
The town hall is due to move to the Old Library later this year, which will become the new building to light up during special occasions.
The following weekend, Shaw will be closing down Market Street on Sunday, May 11 from 12pm until 4pm to host a family friendly ‘tea dance’.
The festivities will include a 1940’s fancy dress competition, a Ukulele band and a military vehicles parade.
Favourite local chippy Armstrong’s Home of the Jumbo Cod will also be serving food.
Two other cul-de-sacs have applied for street closures.
Oldham Council would not reveal which roads they are, as the celebrations are for residents only.
People have been urged to celebrate the 80th anniversary with street parties as four days of concerts, services and processions were announced.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said this year’s anniversary offers “important opportunities for communities to come together”, which will kick off with a military procession in central London from Whitehall to Buckingham Palace on the May 5 bank holiday.
And Brendan Cox, co-founder of the Together Coalition, said that this year’s events offer “a great opportunity to celebrate what we have in common, and to use the celebrations to reach out to neighbours, friends and our wider communities.”
Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.
