EVENTS will be held across Annandale next week to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day.
As a tribute to the members of the armed forces who served and died during World War II, Lockerbie and District Community Council will hold a number of daytime and an evening event within the town centre and on the Haas Hill next Thursday, in celebration of 80 years since the war came to a conclusion.
Music of the day will be played between 9 am and 5 pm, whilst teas, coffees and biscuits/cakes will be available between 11 am and 1.30 pm.
A wreath laying ceremony and a lone piper’s lament will take place at 4.30 pm. And to round off the proceedings, a beacon will be lit at the Haas Hill at 9.30 pm.
Community councillor Roger Claymore said: “Music of the day will be played from the town hall with coffees, teas and cakes served prior to and during lunchtime.
“In the afternoon, a local lone piper will play a number of laments during which a multicoloured knitted poppy wreath will be placed at the town’s war memorial
“The lighting of a beacon in days gone by was a simple and effective way of communicating with your neighbours. Moving on, the event organisers are promoting the lighting of beacons up and down the countryside. We the, community council, therefore have planned to ignite a beacon on the Hass Hill, thus keeping traditions ongoing and alive.
“It is hoped that the neighbouring community councils and landowners will participate also with this tradition.”
In Lochmaben, a piper will play at the war memorial at 11 am, which will be a time mainly for reflection.
Then Jaybees Nursery are holding a ‘street party’ in their grounds, with bunting and the children will dress up.
Local shops have been asked to decorate windows accordingly and locals have been encouraged to organise street or garden parties.
The following day, Lochmaben’s war memorial and volunteers will be receiving a very highly commended award for the Best Kept War Memorial 2024 competition at 10 am. This is being presented by councillor Archie Dryburgh.
Moffat will also hold a ceremony at the town’s war memorial at 11 am.
