United in Remembrance and Celebration: Havering Marks VE Day with Street Parties and Special Tributes.

VE Day was proudly marked across Havering yesterday, Thursday 8 May with heartfelt tributes, flag-raising ceremonies, and vibrant street parties bringing communities together in honour of our heroes.

From Harold Wood to Harold Hill and Romford to Elm Park, residents turned out in full force to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII in Europe. Local schools, community groups, and families held their own commemorations to remember those who served and sacrificed for our freedom.

In Harold Wood, local councillors Brian Eagling and Martin Goode organised a well-attended event that saw people of all ages come together to share, music, and memories. Meanwhile in Harold Hill, the community hub My Place, led by local champion Jan Sargent and her team, put on a fantastic party with decorations, entertainment, and plenty of patriotic spirit joined also by local councillor Paul MGeary.

In Romford, a special ceremony took place at the Town Hall where a flag was raised in honour of the fallen. Among the attendees was Colin Redpath, the father of Lance Corporal Kirk Redpath, who was tragically killed in Basra in 2007 when his vehicle was struck by an IED.

Colin took the opportunity to visit the Town Hall’s Roll of Honour, which has stood for a decade and proudly bears his son’s name.

“Alongside Kirk Redpath, we remember Warrant Officer Ian Fisher, who is also named in the Roll of Honour,” said Councillor Stephanie Nunn. “Yesterday was a day to remember the end of WWII 80 years ago and to thank those who fought for our country. We must always remember all service personnel who gave the ultimate sacrifice.”

Romford MP Andrew Rosindell praised the sense of community across the borough and paid tribute to the men and women of the armed forces whose courage we continue to honour.

Mr Rosindell told the Havering Daily:

“Today, we remember in proud celebration. 80 years ago, on the 8th of May 1945, the guns fell silent across Europe. VE Day marked not just the end of a long and brutal war on our continent, but the triumph of courage, unity, and unyielding resolve over tyranny.

In Romford, Essex and across our green an pleasant land of England, church bells rang out, neighbours embraced and families paused to remember those they had lost and those who had returned.

We remember the generation who faced unimaginable darkness with unwavering bravery, including my own father, Frederick William Rosindell, who served in the Royal Air Force and the Royal Canadian Air Force. The soldiers who fought on land, sea, and in the air. The families who endured the Blitz. The workers and nurses who kept the nation going. And those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

Let us never forget that peace is not simply inherited — it is earned and must be defended anew by each generation. As we reflect on VE Day, we honour our past by committing to a future shaped by democracy, justice, and international cooperation.”

Police officers across Havering and neighbouring Redbridge joined residents in a two-minute silence, a moment of quiet reflection shared by many at gatherings, memorials and even doorsteps.

Inspector Pearce and Sergeant Brindley McEvoy joined Havering’s Mayor Councillor Gerry O Sullivan at the Town Hall for a special flag raising ceremony.

In Beam Park-Councillors Trevor McKeever and Matt Stanton were joined by the Member of Parliament for Dagenham and Rainham, Margaret Mullane for festivities at Rainham Hall and The Royals.

Havering’s VE Day celebrations were not only a poignant tribute to the past but also a strong show of unity, community spirit and local pride that will be remembered by many for years to come.

Fantastic celebrations in Harold Hill and Harold Wood.

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