WESTBURY took part in a nationwide commemoration of VE Day earlier this month, when the beacon on top of the White Horse was lit alongside over 100 others across the country.
The lighting, which took place at sundown – 9.32pm – on Friday 8th May, was to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day – the end of World War II on the continent.
The beacon was lit by Westbury’s new mayor, councillor David Bradshaw, who was just a child when his home was bombed during the war.
The mayor said, “It was an honour to be asked to light the beacon for Westbury. I’m old enough to remember the street parties on VE Day 70 years ago!
“Where I grew up in London, it was heavily bombed and I remember scuttling out to our garden shelter every night when the attacks were at their worst.
“It was a very meaningful day and I’m proud to have lit the beacon.”
The ceremony on top of the Westbury White Horse was attended by over 100 local residents including Westbury town councillors, war veterans and members of the Royal British Legion, local cadets, town crier Sean Price, and members of the town council.
Reverend Steve Jarvis read a tribute, and the Last Post was played by a cadet, before cllr David Bradshaw was lifted in a cherry picker to light the beacon, which then burned for an hour.
