Help town to remember Horsham’s wartime sweethearts this Valentine’s Day

Horsham District Council, in partnership with Swan Walk Shopping Centre, is encouraging the community to remember its wartime sweethearts this Valentine’s Day as it prepares to celebrate the 75^th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe over the Bank Holiday weekend of 8 to 10 May (VE 75 Weekend).

In the first of several local initiatives to mark this national commemoration, a number of banners and posters featuring pictures of local wartime sweethearts from Horsham Museum will be appearing around the town. There is even a selfie photo point being set up in Swan Walk encouraging today’s couples to share their own pictures using the hashtag #horshamsweethearts .

Horsham’s VE75 Weekend will be one to remember in Horsham Town Centre with Friday’s Bank Holiday (8 May) planned as a community celebration day, The Broadwood Morris Day of Dance on the Saturday (9 May) and Horsham’s Great British Sunday (10 May) in aid of Samaritans.

VE Friday will be a one off event remembering the joy (and sadness) in the community that war was over and with a town wide theme of the past and present.

Organised by Horsham District Council, QM Studios and partners, including Community Link, Age UK, Chestnut Tree House, Freeman Brothers and more, there will be period entertainments, displays and plenty of traditional food and drink. It is planned that East Street will be turned into one big street party with the aid of local restaurants. This will be a great opportunity for individuals and groups to get involved and to be part of the experience recapturing the spirit of the time.

If you own vehicles or clothing of the period, are part of a community group, or work for a business that would like to get involved with the ‘Then and Now’ theming, please email the event organising team.

“VE Day is a great opportunity to bring the whole community together and we are delighted to be able to support events and projects in celebration of this occasion," says Cllr Paul Clarke, Horsham District Council’s Cabinet Member for the Local Economy.

He continues:

"This year is particularly special as it is the 75th anniversary of the end of war in Europe, and we want to help communities celebrate. It’s also an important opportunity to remember all those who gave their lives to keep our country free and to free Europe.”

Do please come forward if you have any vehicles or costumes of the era and I would encourage as many of you as possible to come along and enjoy these unique celebrations and commemorations.

Cllr Paul Clarke, Horsham District Council’s Cabinet Member for the Local Economy

For media queries please email press@horsham.gov.uk .