'Extra bank holiday' in 2025 to mark 80 years since the end of Second World War
by Giles Sheldrick, Steven Smith · ChronicleLiveThe UK is set to mark the 80th anniversary of World War II's end with a potentially grand bank holiday event. With rumours pointing to a four-day festivity around May 8 next year, the nation will pay homage to Victory in Europe Day—the momentous date in 1945 when Germany surrendered.
Additionally, the celebration is meant to honour August 15, the day Japan conceded defeat, effectively terminating the global warfare. No specific summer date has been finalised for this prolonged holiday, but speculation suggests that an official proclamation may soon be forthcoming.
Approximately 70,000 wartime veterans remain among us, and the extended weekend might offer a poignant opportunity for these heroes to receive the nation’s accolades. Veterans have expressed enthusiasm for the commemorative period.
Geoff Roberts, 99, who fought in Operation Market Garden in 1944, shared his approval: "I think it's very important in these current times we remember those that gave their lives for our freedom and peace in Europe. We should never forget them. Maybe an extra bank holiday will help to remind people about what's happened in the past."
Marie Scott, 98, reflected on her role during D-Day at age 17, when she was responsible for transmitting clandestine messages from military leaders to soldiers engaging the beaches of Normandy. The Express reports her as having had the chilling duty of listening in on the battle communications emanating over the radio waves from the English Channel, reports the Daily Star.
Marie reflected on the importance of national festivities when she said, "An additional bank holiday would be an opportunity to thank all those wonderful people who made such a spectacular victory possible because, without them, the future could have been very dire indeed."
It's believed that senior figures are considering making room in the calendar either by designating May 9 and 12 or coupling August 22 with the existing summer bank holiday on August 25 for an extended four-day celebration. Such breaks offer communities across Britain a chance to celebrate monumental events as was done for the Platinum Jubilee the previous year.
Looking ahead, Brits are gearing up for eight planned public holidays starting with the New Year's Day revelry on January 1; moving into the traditional Easter festivities marked by Good Friday and Easter Sunday; then enjoying May Day on the 5th and the Spring bank holiday on May 26; relishing the late Summer bank holiday on August 25; and rounding off with the Yuletide joy on Christmas Day followed by Boxing Day.
In 2020, the early May bank holiday saw a shift from its usual slot on Monday, May 4, to Friday, May 8, in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of VE Day, sparking conversations about the sufficiency of notice and the question of an extra day off. With the somber passing of Queen Elizabeth, the former Prime Minister Boris Johnson supported notions of a new bank holiday to pay tribute to her legacy, which could potentially bring the tally of annual bank holidays to nine in England and Wales.
The proposal for a new bank holiday garnered enthusiastic backing from prominent figures such as Lord Richard Dannatt, 73, the former Chief of the General Staff and Chairman of the Normandy Memorial Trust, who praised it as a "brilliant concept", and Royal biographer Gyles Brandreth, 76, who opined that such a day is "needed more than ever to remind us what connects us, to create an excuse to engage our neighbours in something more than small talk and to express our thanks to a lifetime of service in her Majesty the Queen. It is, as they say, for Queen and Country". A PwC analysis suggested that sectors like retail, hospitality, and tourism, which were hit hard during the pandemic, could see a substantial economic boost from an extra bank holiday.
Nevertheless, government officials dismissed the proposal highlighting the substantial economic impact, noting "each bank holiday presents a significant cost to our economy".
On the concluding day of the Platinum Jubilee weekend on June 5, an impressive 16,750,000 individuals – equating to one in four Britons – partook in the festivities, marking one of the most extensive community events in British history. Yet, despite this national fervour, last month's Budget made it clear that there would be a £10 million contribution from taxpayers towards next year’s VE and VJ Day anniversaries.
Dick Goodwin, Vice President of the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, weighed in: "We are looking forward to celebrating with the remaining Second World War heroes - they deserve Britain's gratitude and respect for their courage and sacrifice. We are looking forward to the bank holiday and stand ready to help."
Officials have kept mum on the specifics, but one has confirmed that the upcoming celebrations will hold "national significance", with a schedule of events to be announced soon. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport conveyed to the Express: "The 80th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day will be moments of huge significance for our country, and the Government is committed to commemorating the occasions appropriately. That is why we have announced more than £10 million for events. We will announce the Government's plans to mark the occasion shortly."
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