Southend History
Welcome to our VE 75 Online Event
Wednesday 6th
​
Thursday 7th
​
Friday 8th
​
Saturday 8th
​
Sunday 10th
​
Thank you for joining us here online to celebrate the 75th anniversary of VE-Day and the secret history of Southend Pier at HMS Leigh Make Do and Mend. We know that this is a difficult time for everyone, but we wanted to find a way to be together to celebrate our community past and present because we have a story to tell you about Southend that will change how you look at our town.
​
We think with this event we can shock, surprise, entertain you and help you to get closer to the people that you love. Or learn more about those you have never had the chance to meet. History is about everyone; and everyone matters. Your stories now and from WW2 count. We would urge you to go and listen to someone else’s story - we promise you it can change how you understand the past.
​
Brilliant assets to our town, like Digby Fairweather and the National Jazz Centre have provided some great music for us to appreciate, and the Music Man and other great musicians will be performing live. So please dip in when you have time and tell us what you think. If you sign up on our website we can send you each days’ schedule and all the great things that are happening over this week – like the special service for VE Day lead by Father David Wylie on Sunday at 1600 and how to make the best of VE Day in your own home! If you have a Southend World War 2 story you would like to share you can either email us at stories@hmsleigh.org.uk or go to the website and submit your story there or if you would like us to take your story personally please email us and we will arrange for one of our team to call you and plan to visit when lock down is over.
​