MP calls on council to fund VE Day event

An MP has said he's "horrified" that a council is not funding a VE Day event in one of its three towns.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council says it is staging a beacon lighting in Bournemouth commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two in Europe.

Christchurch Town Council is funding its own event at The Quay.

But Poole MP Neil Duncan Jordan says veterans want to see an event in Poole because of its history and role in D-Day.

"Poole people are concerned that the P in BCP keeps getting forgotten," he said.

"The fact that reports are coming out that the council is not going to mark VE Day in Poole, but they're going to mark it in Bournemouth and Christchurch.

"That's caused a lot of anger amongst local residents, and the council really need to listen very hard to that, and put things right."

BCP Council said it has never funded VE Day events as they have been hosted by the Charter of Trustees for each of the three towns.

Councillor Andy Martin, cabinet member for culture, communications and customers said: "We are proud of Poole's history and involvement at Dunkirk during World War Two and of the town's historical naval connections.

"To mark the 80th Anniversary of VE Day this year, we are organising a Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole wide beacon lighting ceremony which will take place on the forecourt of the BCP Civic Centre for all residents across our area.

"This is the first time BCP Council will be organising an event like this to mark VE day.

"We are working to enable and support community hosted events and have received 30 applications for VE Day Street parties across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

Duncan-Jordan told the BBC: "The fact is, the council know that this needs to be organised, it's already happening in Bournemouth and Christchurch, let's make sure that it happens in Poole as well.

"There's a few weeks before the actual date, and there's plenty of time for BCP Council to pull their finger out and get something done.

"It's what local people want I think, it's what veterans want and it's only appropriate that Poole marks VE Day given its historic link to World War Two.

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