A STREET party at Warwick Racecourse will commemorate VE Day while raising money in memory of a fallen paratrooper.
On Friday May 8 – a bank holiday this year to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe – the course will be holding a raceday including free fairground rides, a parachute display team, wartime re-enactment from the Warwickshire Regiment Re-enactment Group and music from a Vera Lynn tribute act.
A charity lunch will be held in the Paddock Pavilion in aid of 353 Charitable Trust and the Wigley Support Fund, working with parachute regiment charity Support Our Paras.
Warwick-based 353 Charity was set up in memory of fallen paratrooper Conrad Lewis who was the 353rd solider to be killed in Afghanistan.
It was set up by his parents to support injured soldiers, their families and families of the bereaved.
Conrad’s dad Tony Lewis said: “My father served in the Second World War and so it’s important to me we continue to celebrate and remember those who served then as well as those who serve now or gave their lives in recent conflict, this raceday is a great way to do that.
“Conrad lived 18 years of his life across the road from the racecourse, so we are expecting a lot of his friends as well as the family to be there in support too.”
Money raised at the lunch will also go to the Wigley Support Fund which has been working alongside Support Our Paras to help soldiers in need transition from military to civilian life.
Tickets to the raceday cost £10 (children free). Tickets to the VE Day lunch cost £60 including hog roast, wartime desserts and is in the style of a street party.
Visit www.warwickracecourse.co.uk to book or find out more.
* THE FUSILIER Museum in Warwick is looking to teach youngsters all about VE Day.
Museum bosses are offering primary schools visits to the museum, where they can learn about the Home Guard and the life of a soldier, and also in school assemblies and talks.
Call 01926 491653 for further details.
