VE Day 80th Anniversary: Causeway Coast & Glens Updates

Following our article last month revealing plans for a commemorative event to honour the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day on 8 May 2025, new updates have come to light.

The council’s programme for the 80th anniversary of VE Day on May 8, which includes plans for various activities throughout the borough, will clash with North West 200’s race day.

Earlier this month, NW200 Director Mervyn Whyte confirmed at the Commemoration and Celebration Sub-committee that his team is enthusiastic about playing a key role in ensuring VE Day is “the commemoration it should be.”   

Since the meeting, the Council’s Events Team has applied to the RAF for a flypast along the A2 Coast Road and onto Coleraine—targeted for around 6pm to prevent any delays to the racing schedule.

Additionally, NW200 organisers have requested that the Mayor / Deputy Mayor join the event on the grid, with plans for a minute’s silence observed before racing and riders and officials invited to the front of the grid.  

NW200 Event Director Mervyn Whyte also mentioned the possibility of a brass band playing a short piece afterwards.

Updated Draft Programme Unveiled
The latest draft programme for this historic day is as follows:

• Coleraine Battery Exhibition in Coleraine Town Hall (29 April – 2 September)
• Schools’ competition to design a souvenir mug (winner presented at the event)
• Window dressing competition (winner announced at the event)
• 2:00–4:00pm: Tea Dance at New Row Presbyterian Church Hall, Coleraine
• 6:00pm: Military Village on Queen Street with historians and wartime stalls
• 5:45–6:15pm: Flypast (to be confirmed)
• 6:30pm: Church bells ring
• 6:35pm: Programme of entertainment begins outside Coleraine Town Hall, featuring:
  • MC Brian Moore
  • Performances by Leading Ladies and Victoria Lagan Dance and Drama
  • Possible appearance by an Army Cadets band
• 8:30–8:40pm: Parade departs from Coleraine Leisure Centre
• 8:55pm: Parade arrives at The Diamond with a welcome by the Deputy Mayor
• 9:00pm: Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial conducted by Rev Dr JI Thompson MBE DL, including:
  • Reading of WW2 fallen soldiers’ names by Cllr D Huggins
  • Wreath laying by Cllr P Anderson, Veterans’ Champion
  • Minute’s silence with a piper and bugler
• 9:15pm: Performance by Counterpoint choir at the War Memorial, featuring “I Vow to Thee, My Country”
• 9:30pm: Lighting of Beacon by HMLL and VE Day 80 Tribute by Chair of Commemoration & Celebration SC
• 9:35pm: National Anthem performed by choir – event ends