2026 marks 81 years since VE Day.
The service personnel who risked their lives for our freedom are not strangers. They are our parents, grandparents, and the ancestors of our neighbours.
I have always been proud of my Grandad, who served in the RAF.
I know the country feels equally proud of every veteran who risked their life or tragically paid the ultimate sacrifice as part of that terrible conflict.
On the Home Front, children were evacuated, women stepped into essential roles, and of course, the Bevin Boys, many from Barnsley, carried on down the pit to power the war effort.
As living history fades into the past, it is important that we continue to mark this anniversary to keep the memory alive, both here in Barnsley and across the country.
As the Minister for Ceremonials, I was proud to lead the Government’s programme of commemorative events over the past year to mark 80 years since VE Day. Every generation – young and old – should have the opportunity to connect with the history of their families and communities.
“Letters to Loved Ones” encouraged schoolchildren to explore their family histories by looking for old letters and artefacts to learn about life during wartime, and to share them on our website.
The Government also delivered “Our Shared Story”, which brought together educational resources, including material for schools from the Royal British Legion called “I’ll Remember”, with a focus on encouraging veterans and young people to speak about and learn from their Second World War experiences.
People across the country were invited to watch “The Next Morning”; a new National Theatre film and schools workshop written by award-winning screenwriter and playwright James Graham. This short film focuses on the hopes, dreams, and ambitions of young people after the Second World War.
I’m delighted that national events continue to be led by Future Arts Centres through “Our Freedom: Then and Now”, a national touring exhibition now travelling to nineteen venues across the UK, bringing together work from sixty community-led projects, including the Barnsley Civic Centre which I was pleased to visit last summer. The exhibition is coming back to the Barnsley Civic Centre for 2026, where it will be on display from 11th August until the 3rd September.
A special thanks goes to the Royal British Legion, Historic England, Arts Council England, Imperial War Museums, The Commonwealth War Graves Commission, The National Lottery Community Fund, and so many others who were central to these commemorative events.
Here in Barnsley, we are great supporters of our Armed Forces. I have been proud to join commemorative events across Barnsley throughout my time as MP, and I want to thank all the volunteers who work hard to bring these events together each year.
That brave wartime generation’s united strength carried them through six years of war, six years of suffering, and six years of sacrifice to preserve the way of life that we enjoy and the values that we hold dear today.
From the evacuation of Dunkirk, to the Battle of Britain and the Blitz, we remember the brave service personnel from the UK, the Commonwealth and Allied forces who served and fought for the freedoms we enjoy today.
It is up to us to continue their legacy and honour their memory by marking this important day each year.