Peterborough to mark 75th anniversary of VE Day with special online service

Peterborough residents will be able to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day at a special service thanks to Peterborough Cathedral.
By The Newsroom
Published 28th Apr 2020, 09:27 BST

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.

The Very Revd. Christopher Dalliston, Dean of Peterborough Cathedral EMN-190819-205643009The Very Revd. Christopher Dalliston, Dean of Peterborough Cathedral EMN-190819-205643009
The Very Revd. Christopher Dalliston, Dean of Peterborough Cathedral EMN-190819-205643009

On Friday May 8, at 3pm, Peterborough Cathedral will hold the special online service.

The service, led by the Dean, the Very Revd Chris Dalliston, will include a reflection from the Bishop of Peterborough, the Right Revd Donald Allister, as well as pre-recorded music from Peterborough Cathedral Choir.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Gillian Beasley, Chief Executive of Peterborough City Council, and Neil McKittrick, former High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire and member of the Cathedral congregation, are amongst the readers during the service, and the prayers will be led by Canon Ian Black, Vicar of Peterborough. Ollie Maynard, a student at The King’s School, Peterborough, will play the Last Post.

Chris Dalliston, Dean of Peterborough, said: “Although the service cannot be in the format that we had originally planned, due to COVID-19 restrictions, it is nonetheless an important opportunity to show our continuing thanks to those who gave so much to end Nazi occupation in Europe and ensure the freedom that we enjoy today.

“We shall gather joyfully and with thanksgiving, like those who gathered on that first VE Day, grateful for all that binds us together, even in times of sadness and loss and praying for the courage and imagination to overcome our current difficulties.”

It will be broadcast at 3.00pm on 8th May as a live stream on the Cathedral’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/PeterboroughCathedral) and also as a video via the Cathedral’s website (www.peterborough-cathedral.org.uk/watch-again.aspx).

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Cathedral, along with many other cathedrals across the country, is also inviting people to be part of the Big Picnic for Hope on 8th May, and commemorate VE Day with a sponsored picnic at home. All the proceeds from the picnic will go to the Trussell Trust, the charity which supports a nationwide network of foodbanks, including Peterborough Foodbank. Anyone taking part is encouraged to share photos of their picnic on social media using the hashtags #BigPicnicforHope and #feed5000. Donations can be made at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/bigpicnicforhope

Related topics:PeterboroughPeterborough CathedralTrussell TrustCathedral