{"alias":"newsItem","byline":"Deputy UK Chief Volunteer, CJ Ledger","standfirst":"This year sees the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. Once again, Scouts are showing themselves at their best, taking a leading role in both local community and national commemorations.","content":{"layouts":[{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003EWe\u0027re so proud of the way that Scouts are marking the anniversaries of the return of peace: first in Europe on VE Day, 8 May, then throughout the world on VJ Day, 15 August.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/nlobwse0/cubs-at-the-ve80-street-party-at-10-downing-street.jpg","width":4032,"height":3024,"altText":"The image shows three Cubs on Downing Street celebrating VE Day 80. The three Cubs are all wearing their uniform and neckers. There are Union Jack flags on bunting going down the street with crowds of people behind them and tables laid out for a street party.  ","caption":"Cubs celebrating VE Day 80 with a street party on Downing Street ","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch4\u003EHere are just some of the ways Scouts are getting involved\u003C/h4\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"accordion","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","showExpand":true,"items":[{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EHundreds of Scout Groups across the UK are taking part in \u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://together.org.uk/ve80/vemail/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EVE Mail\u003C/a\u003E. They\u2019re responding to \u003Ca href=\u0022/about-us/our-people/chief-scout/\u0022 title=\u0022Chief Scout\u0022\u003EChief Scout\u2019s Dwayne Fields\u2019\u003C/a\u003E call to request a letter from a living Second World War veteran.\u00A0The Scouts are then writing letters back, thanking them for their sacrifice and reflecting on the freedoms gained for them.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOrganised by \u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://together.org.uk/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EThe Together Coalition\u003C/a\u003E, this is a brilliant way to connect and reflect across the generations. \u2018Our Scouts are finding out what it would have been like living at that really difficult time,\u2019 says Dwayne.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"VE Mail"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003ENearly 80,000 Scouts are already wearing their VE Day 80 badges with pride on their uniform, showing their respect. Others are also wearing the special commemorative scarf.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ESales are raising funds for the \u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ERoyal British Legion\u003C/a\u003E, supporting the veterans of the Second World War as well as more recent conflicts.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"VE Day badges and scarves"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EOn Monday 5 May, 12 Scouts from Scotland and London formed part of the procession and two in the royal box, accompanying veterans. A further 250 Scouts from across South East England watched the procession and fly past in central London. They were joined by Chief Scout, Dwayne Fields to support and commemorate VE Day 80.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOn the BBC\u2019s live coverage of the event, Dwayne reminded the public of Scouts\u2019 crucial role during the Second World War. \u2018In the 1940s we had Scouts painting white lines along the curb to stop people tripping during blackouts, building Anderson shelters, administering first aid and supporting refugees. We even had Scouts travelling by boat across the Dunkirk to play their part.\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EDwayne also explained Scouts\u2019 role in the procession: \u2018They\u2019re here to witness, speak to and learn from the people they meet. They\u2019re going to take what they see and hear here back to their Groups.\u2019\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Procession and fly past "},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EOn the afternoon of 5 May, I supported two Cubs and a Scout at a special street party hosted by the Prime Minister. Lily, Archie, and Kaif spoke to the Prime Minister, enjoyed cake and sandwiches with the veterans, and played games with young people from other youth organisations.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Downing Street party"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EOn the anniversary of VE Day itself, 8 May 2025, over 50 Scouts from across the UK were invited to attend the Service. During the service, Scouts Calla and Keinan from Lewisham also had a very special role, giving out flowers to the veterans.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EKing\u2019s Scout, Abbie McFarlane was honoured to lead the Rededication of Peace, the final reading of the service:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Will you work for peace and reconciliation in your homes and communities and strive to work for peace and goodwill in the world?\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWill you commit to an honest remembrance of the cost of war and resist all forms of evil, hatred and injustice?\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWill you recognise that the freedoms and responsibilities you have were hard won, and exercise them with gratitude, humility and generosity?\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOn this 80th anniversary of VE Day, let us dedicate ourselves anew to one another, and to the cause of peace, justice and liberty, as people of faith hope and love.\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIt was a potentially nerve-wracking moment for Abbie, in the presence of HM The King and other dignitaries, but she carried off her duties with aplomb.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EOn a chilly but memorable night at Horse Guard\u2019s Parade, London, 400 Scouts from across the UK also attended the spectacular VE Day Concert.\u00A0Presenter, Zoe Ball gave them a special shout out. She also sat and danced with them when she wasn\u2019t on stage!\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThey were watched proudly from the Royal Box by their \u003Ca href=\u0022/about-us/our-people/patron/\u0022 title=\u0022Patron\u0022\u003EPatron, HM The King\u003C/a\u003E, and \u003Ca href=\u0022/about-us/our-people/joint-presidents/\u0022 title=\u0022Joint Presidents\u0022\u003EJoint President, HRH The Princess of Wales\u003C/a\u003E, as well as other members of the Royal Family. All Scout Counties and Nations were offered tickets to attend and for many Scouts, this was their first visit to London.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWe heard plenty of positive feedback from the public for those Scouts joining the commemorations. However (and we feel sure the King would agree) the most important guests were the Second World War veterans themselves, including 107-year-old Harry Richardson, who sat in pride of place next to King Charles III.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EHarry\u2019s advice to the next generation was televised for the crowd and those watching at home: \u2018Do your best and don\u2019t complain too much.\u2019\u003C/p\u003E","label":"VE Day Concert at Horse Guard\u2019s Parade"}]},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/st3lhrf4/kings-scout-abbie-mcfarlane-speaking-at-the-westminster-abbey-service-for-ve80.jpg","width":1600,"height":900,"altText":"The image shows Abbie McFarlane, King\u0027s Scout, standing by a podium in Westminster Abbey for the Service of Thanksgiving as part of the VE80 celebrations. She\u0027s wearing her uniform and necker with a VE Day 80 woggle. ","caption":"Abbie McFarlane, King\u0027s Scout, speaking at the Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey.","link":null},{"quoteText":"There was a sense of pride and awe in Westminster Abbey \u2013\u00A0remembering the joy of VE Day, but also the sadness of the war. It was certainly an experience being there in person.","attribution":"King\u2019s Scout, Abbie McFarlane","gridType":"quote","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/qp1bkret/scouts-supporting-the-procession-as-part-of-ve80-celebrations.jpg","width":1500,"height":1125,"altText":"The image shows two volunteers and four Scouts at the procession as part of the VE80 celebrations. They\u0027re all wearing kilts, shirts and neckers and are stood with their hands behind the backs on concrete steps.","caption":"Scouts and volunteers forming part of the procession and fly past in London.","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch4\u003EA credit to the movement\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAll the Scouts and volunteers who\u0027ve supported the commemorations so far are fantastic ambassadors for the movement.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"quoteText":"I wish to extend a huge thank you to all the Scouts, Explorers and Leaders who participated in the VE Day 80 events. Their presence brought a sense of pride, discipline, energy and enthusiasm to the occasion, which didn\u0027t go unnoticed. The Scouts and Explorers were dignified and respectful and their presence played a vital role in the success of the events.","attribution":"Jonathan Martin LVO, Director, Project Delivery and Major Events at DCMS.","gridType":"quote","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Promo","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EOn 15 August 2025, we\u0027ll be commemorating VJ Day (Victory over Japan Day). This was effectively the end of the Second World War across the world. Not only did the fighting cease, prisoners of war, including many from the UK, could finally return to their homes and families.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EA VJ Day blanket badge will be available to commemorate this important date, and we\u0027ll also share details of how Scouts will be involved marking the anniversary itself.\u003C/p\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#f1f1f1","title":"Looking ahead to VJ Day","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/hvhhek5e/ve-day-80-concert.jpg","width":4032,"height":3024,"altText":"The image shows the VE Day Concert at Horse Guard\u0027s Parade. You can see the back of people\u0027s heads as they look at the stage, where there\u0027s a presenter in a red dress and a band standing behind her. The stage is lit up with red, purple and navy colours and the sky is dark and cloudy.","caption":"VE Day Concert at Horse Guard\u2019s Parade","link":null}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":null,"pageType":null,"location":null,"versionDate":"11 June 2025","reviewDate":null,"furtherReading":[{"caption":"","title":"Commemorating VE Day 80","url":"/national-events/commemorating-ve-day-80/","newWindow":false},{"caption":"","title":"VE Day 80: Write letters to a Second World War veteran","url":"/news/2025/march/ve-day-80-write-letters-to-a-second-world-war-veteran/","newWindow":false}],"relatedLinks":[{"caption":"","title":"Scouts for peace: How we can support young people to build a better future","url":"/news/2025/january/scouts-for-peace-how-we-can-help-build-a-better-future/","newWindow":false}],"id":86200,"nodeName":"Scouts play leading role in VE80 commemorations","title":"Scouts play leading role in VE80 commemorations ","type":"newsItem","image":{"url":"/media/sayfkpnv/scouts-commemorating-ve-day.jpg?width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1dbd62b8c8f4920","caption":"Scouts Commemorating VE Day","type":"jpg","size":742354,"width":2048,"height":1536,"altText":""},"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"Scouts play leading role in VE80 commemorations ","headerSubTitle":null,"headerCta":null,"headerCtaText":null,"headerCtaLink":null,"headerBackgroundColour":null,"showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":null},"subHeader":"We\u0027re so proud of the way Scouts have been involved in commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.","browserTitle":null,"silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC84NjIwMCJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/news/2025/june/scouts-play-leading-role-in-ve80-commemorations/"}