VE Day celebrations end with 'poignant' beacon lighting event

A "POIGNANT" beacon lighting concluded a week of VE Day commemorations and celebrations across Middlesbrough.

- By DANIEL HODGSON and ABIGAIL NICHOLSON

Events were held throughout the week to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the war in Europe with street parties and community events. Thursday marked the exact anniversary of VE Day and witnessed acts of remembrance up and down the country, including at the Cenotaph in Middlesbrough.

Earlier that day, an event took place at Linthorpe Cemetery, at which D-Day hero and Legion d’Honneur recipient John Hannan planted a tree to mark the day. Mr Hannan, who turns 100 this month, celebrated an early birthday party with friends and family.

Before the beacon lighting on Thursday evening, veterans were hosted at the Dorman Museum, where they enjoyed refreshments alongside Middlesbrough councillors and invited guests. A procession then took place that saw local dignitaries line up in front of Cenotaph for a service led by Father Glyn Holland. During the service, Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke laid a wreath at the Cenotaph.