ABP Southampton Sponsors Royal British Legion’s VE Day 80 Concert Honouring Wartime Sacrifice

ABP Southampton Sponsors Royal British Legion’s VE Day 80 Concert Honouring Wartime Sacrifice

(IN BRIEF) ABP Southampton is sponsoring the Royal British Legion’s VE Day 80 Concert on 4 May at Southampton Guildhall, a highlight of the city’s commemorative events. Featuring the Royal Marines Association Concert Band, the concert will honour those who served during WWII and raise funds for veterans and their families. The event is part of a broader series of VE Day 80 celebrations throughout the city, including ceremonies, community gatherings, and historical walking tours. ABP’s involvement highlights the Port of Southampton’s pivotal wartime role and its continued support of community and heritage events.

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, 24-Apr-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — The Port of Southampton is proud to sponsor the VE Day 80 Concert in support of the Royal British Legion’s city-wide commemorations. This flagship event, taking place on Sunday 4 May at Southampton Guildhall, will celebrate eight decades since Victory in Europe Day and pay tribute to those who served and sacrificed during the Second World War.

Hosted by the Royal British Legion, the UK’s largest Armed Forces charity, the concert will feature performances by the Royal Marines Association Concert Band alongside special guests. With live music and poignant tributes, the evening aims to inspire unity while raising essential funds for veterans, serving personnel, and their families.

Alastair Welch, Regional Director at Associated British Ports (ABP), emphasized Southampton’s historical significance: “The Port of Southampton played a pivotal role in the latter stages of the war as a key embarkation point for troops and equipment. It’s an honour for ABP to support an event that recognises the city’s enduring wartime legacy.”

Claire Smith, Poppy Appeal Manager for the Royal British Legion, welcomed the support: “We’re thrilled to host this meaningful concert as a tribute to a generation that gave so much. With the generous backing of ABP Southampton, we’re able to bring the community together to commemorate and celebrate this important milestone.”

Leader of Southampton City Council, Councillor Lorna Fielker, added: “Southampton has a proud wartime history, and the VE Day 80 celebrations provide a vital opportunity to reflect and show our respect. We are delighted to work with the Royal British Legion and ABP to bring these commemorations to life.”

The VE Day 80 Concert is the centrepiece of a week-long programme of remembrance events across the city. These include the ceremonial Proclamation and flag-raising at the Civic Centre on 8 May, the Lord Mayor’s Tea Party, and a Beacon Lighting at Holyrood Church. The celebrations will continue over the weekend with street parties and themed walking tours honouring the city’s wartime heritage.

Media Contacts:

Tim Morris
Head of Corporate Communications
tim.morris@abports.co.uk
Mob: +44 (0)7850 501 903

Pressiana Naydenova
Corporate Communications Manager
pressiana.naydenova@abports.co.uk

SOURCE: ABP