The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) met with county association officers, where plans for the upcoming 80th anniversary of VE-Day were a key focus.
The meeting featured a special briefing from Bruno Peek CVO OBE OPR, the distinguished pageant master renowned for his leadership in national commemorations. Mr Peek provided an in-depth overview of next year's VE-Day events, emphasising the importance of local (parish and town) councils in leading these significant commemorations.
Building on the success of this year's D-Day anniversary events, where many local councils played a pivotal role in organising community celebrations, Mr Peek urged councils to take the lead once again in 2025. He highlighted the unique opportunity for communities to come together and honour this historic milestone, reinforcing the importance of local engagement in national celebrations.
In addition to the VE-Day plans, the meeting also offered attendees a detailed update on the ongoing development of NALC's new website. The discussion centred on the strategic communications plan for the website's launch, with a particular focus on how county associations can support and enhance the rollout. Attendees were briefed on ways to leverage the new platform to better engage with councils and communities, ensuring a smooth transition and effective use of the new digital tools.