Friday 23 May 2025
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VE Day 80 Ceremony and Parade in Dumfries
Dumfries celebrated Victory in Europe Day 80 on Saturday 10 May and remembered the sacrifices made by so many.
A VE80 Parade took place in Dumfries town centre with representatives of our retired and serving Armed Forces personnel, members of our local Cadet Units, and other uniformed organisations taking part.
The good weather brought a large crowd of onlookers as the events began with a drive past of vintage military vehicles. They were followed by the standard-bearers and the parade.
Three Lord Lieutenants participated in the Royal salute and inspection of the ranks. Dr Fiona Armstrong, Lord Lieutenant of Dumfries, was accompanied by The Lord Sinclair, Lord Lieutenant of the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright and Mrs Aileen Brewis, Lord Lieutenant for Wigtown.
After a welcome from the Dumfries and Galloway Council Armed Forces Champion, councillor Archie Dryburgh, Dr Armstrong led the commemoration. Prayers from padre Tom Bonnar, the Veterans Chaplain, were followed by the last post performed by bugler Jordan Tweedie and a two-minutes silence.
Wreaths were laid by the three Lord Lieutenants as well as councillor Malcolm Johnstone, Convener of Dumfries and Galloway Council and Mr Richard Reade, Chairman of the Royal British Legion Scotland Dumfries and Maxwelltown branch.
The event was a time of commemoration as well as celebration for the veterans who attended.
Closeburn War Memorial award ceremony with councillor Archie Dryburgh second from right.
Awards for the Region's War Memorials
War memorials in Annandale and Eskdale, Upper Nithsdale and the Stewartry won awards from the Royal British Legion Scotland (RBLS) in their Best Kept War Memorial Competition 2025.
The awards were presented by councillor Archie Dryburgh MBE in his capacity as Area Secretary for RBLS Glasgow, Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway. The winners were judged from memorials nominated by local community groups, community councils and RBLS branches. The presentations were made at each winning site between 7 and 9 May.
The highly commended memorials were:
- Closeburn war memorial.
- Sanquhar war memorial.
- Kirkconnel war memorial.
- Lochmaben war memorial.
- Moffat war memorial.
- Langholm war memorial.
- Eastriggs and Dornoch war memorial.
The commended war memorial was Anworth and Girthon War Memorial (Gatehouse of Fleet).
Councillor Dryburgh was accompanied at the ceremonies by members of the community councils, the RBLS, pupils from local schools, elected members and representatives from the local communities.
Sanquhar War Memorial award presented by councillor Archie Dryburgh.
Children Learn About VE Day
Events to remember and celebrate VE Day 80 were held across the region in several schools.
The P5–7 class at Port William Primary worked hard on their VE Day activities. They researched different topics connected with VE Day and that formed the basis of a mural. They included some coin designs, peace symbols, facts and thoughts about VE Day and some QR codes so that people could watch interviews with veterans. Some P7 girls created an almost life-size soldier to show what uniforms may have looked like.
At Lockerbie Primary School, the P1–2 class learnt about VE Day by studying people from the past, building an Anderson Shelter, preparing and tasting corned beef and jam sandwiches and decorating union flag cupcakes. The children thoroughly enjoyed the topic and have great memories of this historic event.
The P1 class at Brownhall Primary enjoyed jam sandwiches that they made for their snack time to enjoy at their own picnic 'street party'.
St Andrew’s Primary School in Dumfries has been learning about World War II and the significance of VE Day. The P6 class shared their learning with the rest of the school through their assembly and hosted a tea party on VE Day – inviting family along to sample their hand-made treats. Not only was this a great chance to get together, but it also meant they could hear from those whose family had lived and fought through the war. Thanks to Ian for sharing some great stories, old photos and medals from his father's time in World War II. Another fantastic demonstration of a community coming together to share, support and remember the sacrifices of the past – and to hope for peace for the future.
Pupils from P6 at Park Primary in Stranraer created commemorative artwork that was displayed in their local Tesco store. They also created PowerPoint presentations to showcase their learning on VE Day.
Well done to all our learners for their hard work and enthusiasm.
Veterans Gather at Moffat VE Commemoration Service
A short VE commemoration service was held in Moffat on 8 May, organised and led by Moffat's Royal British Legion Scotland Branch.
Besides veterans, it was attended by Deputy Lieutenant Merlin Dernie and other local representatives from the council and community council.
Local ARCs Celebrate VE Day
Staff and service users at our region’s Activity and Resource Centres (ARCs) celebrated the 80th anniversary of VE Day on Thursday 8 May with a packed programme of events, activities and moving contributions from service users.
From dressing up in authentic 1940s outfits, singing along to music, afternoon teas and garden picnics, fun was had right across the region. In Annan, service users enjoyed a trip to the Devil’s Porridge Museum to learn more about what life was like during World War II, while service users from Newton Stewart ARC got creative, with service user Carinne writing a special VE Day poem to mark the occasion.
You can find out more and read Carinne’s special poem below.
 VE Day Activities Elsewhere Across the Region
VE Day was remembered and celebrated across the region in events and activities that involved the young and the old.
The Royal British Legion Scotland in Castle Douglas (top left) held a commemorative event attended by councillor Archie Dryburgh and many veterans.
Lockerbie Community Council (top right) arranged celebrations which included a colourful poppy display from the balcony of the town hall.
Cummertrees and Cummertrees West Community Council (bottom right) held community celebrations in Powfoot, which drew a good attendance.
Meanwhile, P1/2 at Lockerbie Primary School (bottom left) learnt about life during the war and people's experiences of VE Day in 1945.
New Garden of Remembrance Opens in Dumfries
The Lord Lieutenant of Dumfries, Dr Fiona Armstrong, opened a new garden of remembrance in Dumfries on Sunday 11 May.
The garden is opposite St Michael's and South Parish Church in Dumfries and was designed by the People's Project on behalf of the Royal British Legion Scotland. The garden was created by People's Project volunteers over a two-year period and features an inspiring commemorative stone and a wood sculpture soldier that was carved by Sam Bowsher from Moffat.
Dr Armstrong was accompanied at the opening by Mike Jardine MBE, founder of the People's Project. Project volunteers and veterans also attended the ceremony, which followed a VE Day Service at St Michael's conducted by the rev. Gary Peacock and the rev. Tom Bonnar.
The People’s Project, Dumfries is a voluntary, non-profit making organisation, founded in 2008. It aims to create opportunities for groups to improve areas around Dumfries, especially in their own community and environment. It aims to make Dumfries a better place to live, work and visit. The People’s Project also supports groups and initiatives throughout Dumfries and Galloway.
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