Chelmsford Cathedral will mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day with a series of celebrations as we look back and learn, reflect and remember
Monday May 5th at 2.45pm and 3.45pm
We will be hosting historical talks in the Cathedral on Bank Holiday Monday, beginning with Dr Catherine Pearson from Anglia Ruskin University who will recount some of the personal stories of Chelmsford people and their experiences in the Second World War, using information from the archives of Essex Record Office. Rosalind Mercer will then look in depth at the life and work of local artist Rosemary Rutherford, who used her talent to sketch and paint her experience of the war on stained glass. Her work depicts both religious and service scenes, drawing on her experiences helping her father house evacuee families in Broomfield as well as working as a Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) nurse travelling between naval psychiatric hospitals.
Dr Catherine Pearson will speak at 2.45pm and Rosalind Mercer's talk will take place at 3.45pm.
NATIONAL PEAL
Thursday May 8th at 6.30pm
Cathedral bell ringers will join a national peal across the country to ring out in unison at 6.30pm on May 8th, just as the bells rang on the same day back in 1945.
SPECIAL SERVICE
Friday May 9th at 5.15pm
A special choral service will celebrate VE Day with the Royal British Legion, Essex Yeomanry and Civic Representatives from across the county.
LIGHT A CANDLE
All are welcome to take a quiet moment of prayer and contemplation in the Cathedral during this time.