As planned, the 80^th Anniversary of VE Day was celebrated in the Village both on the run up and on the days following the actual Anniversary, namely 8 May 2025.  

The special Anniversary VE Day Flag was flown at the War Memorial and at other locations in the Village, the two-minute national silence was observed by the Council at 12.00 noon, and two lamp lights of peace were lit at 9.30 pm at both the War Memorial and the Chaucery Memorial.

Blind Veterans UK also participated by lighting its Beacon on the quarterdeck at 9.30 pm.

In the spirit of the occasion, many of the Village businesses adorned their frontages and windows in red, white and blue, which included bunting galore, flags and even clothing to match!  The ’pièce de résistance’ was the Rustington Gates – absolutely amazing!

There was a small special Exhibition at the Museum, which was complimented by Graeme Taylor providing a Public Talk entitled Wartime and VE Day in Rustington on 7 May 2025.  The Heritage Association also organised two guided Walks, concentrating on Rustington in World War II, led by Graeme Taylor.

The Themed Quiz Evening on VE Day itself, organised by the Littlehampton District Lions Club, was a resounding success, with £1,500.00  being raised for local youth sections of the Armed Forces.

The Concert, on the afternoon of Saturday 10 May, which was organised by the Parish Council in partnership with the Littlehampton Concert Band, proved to be an outstanding success, with the audience being entertained by the Band’s fantastic performance.  Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves, participating in a number of Wartime Songs, including We’ll Meet Again, The White Cliffs of Dover, Jerusalem, Rule Britannia and Land of Hope and Glory.  There was a free Lucky Programme Draw and the Retiring Collection, which was in aid of Blind Veterans UK, raised £690.00.

There were many other events taking place throughout the Village, including Afternoon Tea and Street Parties, together with many other similar celebrations,

An exceptionally good time was had by all who participated, and the Village can certainly be proud to say that it celebrated this momentous occasion in the history of the Nation, in true style!