Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council (LCCC) is delighted to announce that £59,525 will be awarded to local community groups through its VE-Day 80 Small Grants Fund.

This funding will support a variety of community-led initiatives to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day, ensuring that this historic milestone is honoured across the council area.

The VE-Day 80 Small Grants Fund has provided support to 85 individual community groups, enabling them to host their own commemorative events.

These initiatives will complement the council-led programme of events, fostering widespread community engagement and intergenerational learning about the significance of VE-Day.

All Saints Parish Church, one of the many groups who applied to the grant scheme, will be using the funding to host a family fun day on 25th May with music, food and a reflection on the history aspect of the time. 

Councillor Kurtis Dickson, Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, welcomed the successful applicants, stating: “I am thrilled that so many local groups have taken the opportunity to apply for VE-Day 80 funding and play a vital role in marking this significant anniversary. This funding will allow our communities to come together in remembrance and celebration, ensuring that the sacrifices and resilience of those who lived through the war are never forgotten.”

Alderman Hazel Legge, Chair of LCCC’s VE-Day Working Group, added: “Through the small grants fund, we are supporting a range of community-led events that will reflect on the past while bringing people together in the present. VE-Day 80 is an occasion for remembrance, unity, and education and I am delighted to see so many groups embracing the opportunity to mark this important milestone.”

Councillor Jonathan Craig, Chair of the council’s Communities and Wellbeing Committee, commented: “We are immensely proud to have allocated £59,525 to community groups through the VE-Day 80 small grants fund. This initiative empowers our communities to create meaningful commemorations, ensuring that the legacy of those who served is honoured in a personal and impactful way.”

Councillor Nicholas Trimble, Chair of the council’s Corporate Services Committee, noted: “It is fantastic to see our local communities coming together to mark VE-Day 80. This funding will enable groups to host engaging events that not only pay tribute to our history but also reinforce the bonds that strengthen our community today.”

For more information about VE-Day 80 events and how your community can get involved, visit www.lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk/ve-day-80

 

Community events funded by the VE Day 80 Small Grants Fund:
 

Event Location Date and time Group
Installation of VE Day remembrance garden Anahilt Orange Hall May Anahilt LOL 752
BBQ, quiz and photographic display Lisburn Orange Hall Fri 2 May 2025 at 7.00pm Ballyfinaghy Arts and Cultural Association
Street party Bridge Community Centre, Lisburn Fri 2 May from 12noon to 4.00pm Lisburn Sea Cadets
Coffee morning and film screening Derriaghy Orange Hall Sat 3 May at 10.00am Derriaghy District LOL No.11
Intergenerational Party Edgar Boyd Court Sat 3 May at 11.00am Edgar Boyd Tenants Association
Indoor street party Balinderry War Memorial Hall Sat 3 May 2025 from 11.00am to 4.00pm Ballinderry War Memorial Hall
BBQ, music and entertainment
 
Tolerton Sports Zone, Dunmurry Sat 3 May from 12noon to 4.00pm Seymourhill and Conway Residents Association
BBQ, music, artefacts workshop Deramore Orange Hall, Moira Sat 3 May at 2.00pm Deramore Community Group
Community fun day Lisburn Recreation and Community Hub, Stanley Park, Lisburn Sat 3 May 3pm to 7.30pm Lisburn Recreation and Community Hub
Film and food night  Edgar Boyd Court Sat 3 May at 7.00pm Edgar Boyd Tenants Association
Family fun day St Malachy's Church Green, Royal Hillsborough Sun 4 May from 2.00pm to 5.00pm Royal Hillsborough Protestant Boys Flute Band
Street party/BBQ Ballybeen Jubilee Allotments Sun 4 May at 2.30pm Ballybeen Jubilee Allotments, Drumadoon Park
Community event with refreshments & entertainment Ballyoran Community Centre Sun 4 May from 7.00pm to 10.00pm Ballybeen Education and Cultural Heritage Hub (BEACHH)
Tea dance 3D Youth Centre, Old Warren, Lisburn Mon 5 May from 11.00am to 2.00pm The Resurgam CD Trust
Tea dance Lower Maze Hall Mon 5 May from 1.00pm to 4.00pm Halftown Residents Association
BBQ and music St Patricks Church, Drumbeg Mon 5 May at 2.00pm Drumbeg Community Association
Celebration event with live music, entertainment and refreshments Drumbo Orange Hall Mon 5 May from 2.00pm to 5.00pm Poundbridge and District Community Association
Celebration event with live music, entertainment and refreshments Drumbo Orange Hall Mon 5 May from 2.00pm to 5.00pm Ballylesson Old Boys Flute Band
Afternoon tea and vintage car rally Drumbo Orange Hall Mon 5 May from 2.00pm to 5.00pm Irwins True Blues
Tea party Ballymacash Community Centre, Lisburn Mon 5 May 6.00pm to 9.00pm Ballymacash Regeneration Network
Tea dance Hilden Centre, Church of Ireland Hall, Grand Street, Lisburn Mon 5 May from 6.30pm to 8.30pm The Welcome Project
Exhibition with street party and entertainment Granshaw Presbyterian Church, 54 Gransha Road Tue 6 May from 5.30pm to 10.00pm Granshaw Presbyterian Church
Celebration community tea Anahilt Primary School Tue 6 May at 6.00pm Anahilt and Magheraconluce Community Association
Community party with music and refreshments Dundonald Orange Hall Tue 6 May 6.00pm to 9.00pm Dundonald Purple Vine Orange Lodge 1056
Reflection Memorial Service Balinderry War Memorial Hall Thu 8 May from 7.00pm to 8.00pm Ballinderry War Memorial Hall
Act of Remembrance Derriaghy Orange Hall Thu 8 May at 7.30pm Derriaghy District LOL No.11
Community BBQ Edgar Boyd Court Fri 9 May 2025 at 5.30pm Edgar Boyd Tenants Association
Quiz and tea party Atlas Centre, Lisburn Wed 7 May from 6.00pm to 8.00pm Atlas Womens Centre
Street party Drumlough Orange Hall, Hillsborough Wed 7 May at 7pm Drumlough True Blues
Tea party, films and music Lower Broomhedge Hall, Moira Wed 7 May at 7pm Lower Broomhedge Community Association
Community celebration Ballybeen Women's Centre Thu 8 May from 10.00am to 2.00pm Ballybeen Women's Centre
Community celebration with tea dance St Mary's Parish Church, Chapel Road, Balinderry Thu 8 May from 10.00am to 2.00pm St Mary's Parish Church
Community celebration Ballyoran Community Centre, Ballybeen Thu 8 May 10.00am to 4.00pm Ballybeen Men's Motivational Group
Tea dance Ballymacash Sports Academy Thu 8 May from 10.30am to 12.30pm  Ballymacash Neighbourhood Craft Group
Afternoon tea party Anahilt Primary School Thu 8 May at 12.30pm Anahilt PS PTA
Celebration and Reflection tea party, music and activities Lisburn Downtown Centre Thu 8 May from 12.30pm to 3.00pm Lisburn Downtown Centre
Wartime tea dance Christ Church Lisburn Thu 8 May from 2.00pm to 4.00pm Christ Church Lisburn
Cemetery tours Lisburn Cemetery and Lisburn Holy Trinity Cemetery Thu 8 May at 6pm History Hub Ulster
Community picnic in the park and music Brooklands Primary School, Dundonald Thu 8 May from 6.00pm to 7.30pm Ballybeen Improvement Group and Davarr Community Initiative
Evening celebration with music and refreshments 22 and 23 Glebe Road, Hillsborough Thu 8 May at 7.30pm Annahilt Parish Church
Tea dance Sarah Crothers Hall, Beechland Drive, Lisburn Thu 8 May from 1.30pm to 4.00pm Beechland Community Group
Afternoon tea and entertainment The Ballance House, Glenavy Fri 9 May at 2.00pm Ulster New Zealand Trust
Celebration evening Robert Watson Memorial Hall, Hillhall Road, Lisburn Fri 9 May from 5.30pm to 8.00pm Largymore Temperance Junior
Community event; BBQ, music, food, quiz Robert Watson Memorial Hall, Hillhall Road, Lisburn Fri 9 May from 5.30pm to 7.30pm Hillhall Regeneration Group
Tea dance Hilden Centre, Church of Ireland Hall  Fri 9 May from 6.30pm to 8.30pm Hilden Community Association
Tea dance & movie night Enler Centre, Dundonald Fri 9 May from 6.30pm to 9pm RISE
1940's themed dance Ballymacash Sports Academy Fri 9 May at 7.00pm Ballymacash Rangers FC
BBQ, music and entertainment Anahilt Orange Hall Fri 9 May at 7.00pm Baillies Mills Accordion Band
Commemorative BBQ Ballykeel Orange Hall Fri 9 May at 7.00pm Ballykeel LOL 851
Celebration dinner Lisburn RBL, Sackville Street, Lisburn Fri 9 May at 7.30pm Lisburn Royal British Legion
Community event; food, music Ballymacash Orange Hall Sat 10 May from 10.00am to 3.00pm Ballymacash LOL 317
Street party 6 Sackville Street, Lisburn Sat 10 May at 12noon Lisburn 1st Blues Supporters Club
Street party St Malachy's Church Green, Royal Hillsborough Sat 10 May from 1.00pm to 4.00pm RBL Womens Section Hillsborough Branch;  Dunbeg, Ashvale and Kilwarlin Community Group;  Hillsborough Fort Guard;  Hillsborough Working Together;  Royal Hillsborough RBL;  Hillsborough Old Guard
Community fun day The Community Hub, Killynure Sat 10 May at 2.00pm Killynure Community Association
Celebration event Trinity Methodist Church, Lisburn Sat 10 May from 2.00pm to 4.00pm Lagan District Girls' Brigade
Community BBQ, children's entertainment  Lagan Valley Pigeon Club, Tonagh Drive, Lisburn Sat 10 May from 3.30pm to 6.00pm Regimental Association of Royal Irish Regiment - Lisburn Branch
Tea dance Laganview Enterprise Centre Sat 10 May from 6.00pm to 9.00pm Old Warren Community Association
Community indoor street party Lowquarter Orange Hall, Balinderry Road, Magheragall Sat 10 May at 7.00pm Brookmount Cultural and Education Society
Tea dance with films being shown Ballyoran Community Centre Sat 10 May from 7.00pm to 9.00pm Ballyoran Community and Arts Group
Family BBQ Legacurry Orange Hall Sat 10 May at 7.30pm Larchfield Community Development Association
Cemetery tours Dundonald Cemetery Sun 11 May at 11.00am History Hub Ulster
Community picnic St Andrew's Parish Church,40 Carryduff Road, Lisburn Sun 11 May at 12noon Trustees of St Andrews Parish Church, Killaney
Community lunch Maghergall Parish Church Hall Sun 11 May at 12.30pm Magheragall Parish Church
Afternoon tea Sarah Crothers Hall, Beechland Drive, Lisburn Sun 11 May from 1.00pm to 3.00pm Beechland Community Group
Tea dance Highway Inn Kitchen Garden, Hillhall Road, Lisburn Sun 11 May from 7.00pm to 10.00pm Lisburn PSP
Lunch, talk and music St Ignatius Parish Church, Carryduff Mon 12 May at 1.00pm Carryduff Retirement Group
BBQ, arts & crafts 3D Youth Centre Old Warren, Lisburn Mon 12 May from 6.00pm to 9.00pm Resurgam Youth Initiative
Evening Celebration Enler Centre, Dundonald Mon 12 May at 7.30pm Dundonald Womens Institute
Afternoon tea Drumlough Orange Hall Sat 17 May at 12noon Drumlough Community Association
Tea party Lagan Park Centre, Dromara Sat 17 May from 1.00pm and 4.00pm Dromara Community Group
Community fun day Derriaghy Community Garden Sat 17 May at 2.00pm Derriaghy Village Community Association
1940's style street party St Ignatius Parish Church, Carryduff Sat 17 May from 2.00pm to 5.00pm St Ignatius' Parish Church
Family fun day Castlerobin Orange Hall Sat 17 May from 2.00pm to 8.00pm Castlerobin Guiding Star LOL 146
Celebration party Lisburn Congregational Church, 2 Saintfield Road, Lisburn Sat 24 May from 2.00pm to 5.00pm Lisburn Congregational Church
Exhibition of WW2 vehicles and uniforms and lunchtime tea Maghaberry Orange Hall Sat 25 May from 11.00am to 2.00pm Ballinderry District LOL No.3
Family party All Saints Parish Church Eglantine Sat 25 May at 1.00pm All Saints Parish Church Eglantine
Tea dance Laganvale Care Home, Moira Sat 25 May at 3.00pm Moira Community Association
Hog roast Lagan Park, Dromara Fri 30 May at 7.30pm Dromara Local History Group
Community Jamboree Hillhall Presbyterian Church, Lisburn Sat 31 May from 11.00am to 3.00pm Hillhall Presbyterian Church
Tea party and film night Glenavy Protestant Hall Fri 6 June at 7.30pm Lanaway Rural Development and Cultural Society
Evening BBQ Creevy Lough, Saintfield Sat 7 June at 6.30pm Dundonald Angling Club
Exhibition of military vehicles and war memorabilia Dromara Orange Hall Fri 13 June from 6.00pm to 9.00pm and Sat 14 June from 9.00am to 2.00pm Lower Iveagh District LOL No.1
Community BBQ & Entertainment Maze Orange Hall, Kesh Road Sat 14 June at 4.00pm Mazetown Rural Action Collective
Community party Lisburn Orange Hall, Railway Street Fri 20 June at 7.00pm Royal Hillsborough Apprentice Boys of Derry
Celebration day; BBQ and music Ballycoan Orange Hall Sat 21 June at 7.45pm Moorcroft Rural Community Association