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 |