On 10 May 2025 The East Preston and Kingston RBL Branch held a VE80 Celebration event at the East Preston RBL Club.

The event proved to be hugely successful on a gloriously sunny day, with huge support from the local community to the extent that the Club was at capacity inside and out throughout the day and into the evening.

The day kicked off at 14:00hrs with a rousing speech from our visiting Winston Churchill Impersonator which got the crowd in Street Party mood, this was followed by Opera singer Harriet Rose giving an emotional rendition of Jerusalem and our Trio of Wartime Singers (The Silhouettes) doing a set.

Celebrations continued through the afternoon with more sets from Harriet Rose and the Silhouettes and another stirring speech by Winston Churchill (who also mingled with the crowds throughout the afternoon).

Into the evening celebrations continued with an evening set from local Band Pier Pressure.

We also had a great turn out from the Royal Sussex Regiment Association with their Standard and had a VE Day stand with RBL Gazebo on display throughout the day just outside the Club and near our memorial. Guests enjoyed a BBQ, Street Party buffet and beer festival in the Club Courtyard.

It was amazing to have so many of the local community support the day and shows how important the RBL Club and Branch are together in ensuring that we remember and commemorate Service to our Country.

We now look forward to supporting our local Armed Forces Day in Littlehampton on 28 June and Commemorating VJ Day on 16th August.