VE Day 80th Anniversary Exhibit

Hull Minster is sharing the stories of Hull’s families and communities in their VE Day display.

We have received many submissions from the people of Hull.

At 1pm on 6th May the display will be officially opened by Canon Dominic Black and James Cameron – Heritage Project Manager in charge of the 600th anniversary of the Minster. #holytrinityhull600

A milestone will be marked on 8th May 2025, celebration of VE day in the UK, when we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the ending of the Second World War in Europe.  In a city particularly affected as Hull was during the Blitz, this is a key celebration.  Hull Minster is looking to share its community’s stories through a display at the church. Hull Minster has a unique wartime history compared to many churches in the UK and across Europe. Though the city of Hull suffered greatly in both the First and Second World Wars, Hull Minster sustained very little damage. The Luftwaffe often entered British airspace via England’s east coast and used the tower of Hull Minster as a sort of bearing point with which to situate themselves. For this reason, Hull Minster was left standing, though the communities it served suffered from the devastation of the German Blitz, with Hull being one of the worst affected British cities.

The 80th Anniversary of VE day provides a unique celebratory opportunity. It will be among the last decennial celebrations of VE Day where survivors of the Second World War will be able to directly tell us their stories. It also coincidentally, lines up with our own 600th anniversary celebrations through the HT600 Project and aligns with our project’s themes of fostering civic pride, the exploration and reflection of the past, and recognising those who have made our lives today a possibility.

Canon Dominic Black, Vicar of Hull Minster: This VE Day celebration is a special one to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the War. Nowadays, there are very few people alive that remember it first hand, though its aftermath was felt for decades. It is the celebration of the end of a war that was felt as much at home as it was on the battlefield, and is especially important to Hull, one of the heaviest bombed cities in Britain.

The display will run from 6th to the 17th of May in the North Choir aisle, save for between the days of May 8-10 while the Beer Festival is on, when it will be moved into the nave, near the west doors.

There is no charge for the exhibition. It is free entry. We work on the donation system. It costs £1000 a day to run Hull Minster. We survive on the donation system so thank you if you are able to give.