THERE will be a weekend of events in Benarty to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day.

They will begin on Friday May 7 and include a 1940s themed dance, a street party and re-dedication of the war memorial in Lochore.

Victory in Europe Day, generally known as VE Day, sparked celebrations across the continent as it was the day when the Allies officially accepted the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany on May 8, 1945.

It marked the end of World War Two in Europe – there was still fighting in Asia until August 1945 – and events in Benarty are being co-ordinated by Stephen Nardone.

A committee will also be formed and he said: "For someone who was born in 1947, two years after the war ended, and whose only involvement was through their dad, I think it's important we honour and remember those people who didn't have a say or fall out with anyone, who were told to go to war and do what they did.

"Millions of them didn't come back. It's important we commemorate those people, if it hadn't been for them who knows where we'd be today?"

Plans are still to be finalised but are set to begin with a 1940s theme at the newly started Companion Club, in the Lochore Institute, from 11am to 2pm.

Councillor Mary Lockhart, who's backing the commemorations, said: "They'll be getting dressed up in the type of clothes worn back then, there'll be decorations, wartime nostalgia, a lunch menu from that era, possibly including spam but decent soup too, and entertainment as well.

"There'll be singers and musicians, the club only started in December and they've had someone in every week so we won't be short of entertainment."

Mr Nardone said: "At 3pm we're hoping to get a piper to play at the war memorial, with a church service and wreath laying.

"The war memorial was moved from Lochore Institute to its present location at the corner of Main Street and Lochleven Road but it was never re-dedicated, so it seems an appropriate time to address that.

"Also on Friday at 6.59pm, there will be a cry for peace around the world read out and the bells will ring at 7pm. I believe that at that time there will also be pipers playing a lament from the four highest peaks in Britain: Ben Nevis, Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Slieve Donard."

He continued: "On the Saturday we want to have a street party like the ones they had to celebrate the end of World War Two.

"Ideally it'd be next to the Lochore Institute, the heritage group will be doing an exhibition there that would tie in with it, but that's still to be arranged.

"And if anyone wants to do a street party of their own, that's great, come and tell us about it and we can hopefully help.

"That night there'll be a 1940s themed dance and we're hoping to get a big band to play the music from that era.

"We're going to be fundraising, the aim is to make the dance free of charge, as there's no funding of any kind from the government.

"On the Sunday there'll be a service at 10.30am in the memorial garden to pay tribute to the millions who lost their lives and the Last Post will be played.

"We're trying to get more people involved and the more ideas people have the better."

Councillor Lockhart said: "At a time when we're on the verge of moving out of the EU, this is a celebration of something that brought peace in our time.

"Bringing peace at a time of unrest everywhere is vital and it begins in our communities. This is a tightly knit community that's known for sticking together."

You can get involved and find out more at their next meeting at 7pm on Thursday February 27 in the Benarty Centre.