Pictures: VE Day in Herefordshire - 70 years on

SEVENTY years ago, on May 8, 1945, the allied forces’ war with Germany was officially declared over.

Victory in Europe – VE Day – arrived a week after the death of Adolf Hitler in the shattered remnants of Berlin – hemmed in by the Red Army, with American and British forces approaching from the west.

For the people of Britain, the day marked the end of six years of hardship and heartache, and we mark the occasion with a fascinating collection of images showing celebrations in Hereford.

The photographs were taken by Hereford businessman CH ‘Tony’ Williams who was a keen amateur photographer and documented life in Herefordshire in the 1940s.

Mr Williams left his treasure trove of thousands of images with his daughter Dr Maureen Beauchamp who has kindly provided them for the Hereford Times to publish.

And this week, on Friday May 8 itself, there will be a major VE anniversary commemoration in the centre of Hereford.

A beacon will be lit to mark the occasion and people across the county are being invited to celebrate tomorrow and across the weekend

Herefordshire Council’s chairman, the High Sheriff and the Lord Lieutenant, Lady Darnley, will join local mayors at the event in Hereford, along with Second World War veterans, members of the Royal British Legion and cadets.

Prior to the Shirehall beacon lighting at 9pm, there will be speeches and a bugle call.

n In Ross-on-Wye the Royal British Legion is also marking the occasion by lighting a beacon this Friday.

During tomorrow members of the branch will be handing out flyers, balloons and flags to children.

From 7pm at the bandstand in Wye Street there will be musical entertainment from ‘Sinatra the Voice’ Paul Carpenter, and at 9pm Mayor of Ross, Colin Gray, will light the beacon at the Prospect, while The Last Post is played.