Our Bury St Edmunds BID launches VE Day anniversary trail featuring more than 55 businesses

A free activity trail celebrating the 80th anniversary of VE Day is set to launch in Bury St Edmunds.

The trail, which begins on Monday, April 7, invites participants to find 10 World War II-themed objects — including a ration book, a newspaper announcing VE Day and other items — displayed in more than 55 town centre businesses’ shop windows.

Those who can find all 10 items will be entered into a prize draw with a £100 gift card up for grabs.

Mark Cordell, chief executive of Our Bury St Edmunds BID, said: “Our town centre trails are always popular, especially those with a historical theme.

“This year is a very important commemoration of the ending of the Second World War and we wanted to reflect that with this trail and other activities we have planned later in the year.

“We’ve had the best take up from town centre businesses of any of our trails too, so there will be plenty of opportunities to find the 10 different items as all will appear more than once.”

VE Day, or Victory in Europe Day, marks the official end of World War II in Europe on May 8, 1945.

It commemorates the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany and the end of a nearly six-year conflict considered to be the largest and deadliest in human history.

The day was met with celebrations across the UK and beyond as millions took to the streets to mark the hard-fought victory.

In partnership with the Bury Free Press, the trail form will be found in multiple editions of the newspaper as well as from visitor information points at The Apex, Moyse’s Hall Museum and the Cathedral shop.

The competition, which has been supported by The Suffolk Regiment Museum, is set to run until Sunday, June 1.

Full details including terms and conditions can be found at www.ourburystedmunds.com.

Mr Cordell added: “It’s a perfect family activity giving an opportunity to visit different parts of the town centre and can be done over a number of days.

“We are offering three Our Bury St Edmunds town centre gift cards of £100, £75 and £50 as the prizes.”