Renfrewshire Council

Colleagues are asked to observe a two-minute silence at 12pm today, Thursday 8 May, to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.

For colleagues and visitors at Renfrewshire House, the silence will begin and end with a tannoy announcement.

If you are involved in an online Microsoft Teams meeting at this time, it would be good practice to set out at the start of the meeting that you intend to observe the two-minute silence at 12pm.

Frontline colleagues are also encouraged to stop working and observe the silence where it is safe to do so.

A message to Council colleagues from Provost Lorraine Cameron

Hello everyone,

Today, on VE Day, we come together as a community to honour a moment of profound significance — the day that marked the end of the Second World War in Europe.

On 8 May 1945, the guns fell silent, and the world began to breathe again. It was a day of relief, of reflection, and of hope. But it was also a day built on years of extraordinary courage, sacrifice, and resilience.

Here in Renfrewshire, we remember and pay tribute to those who gave so much. The servicemen and women who fought bravely, the civilians who endured hardship at home, and the countless quiet heroes who kept life going during the darkest of times.

We owe them a debt we can never fully repay — but we can honour them by continuing to stand up for peace, compassion, and community in our own time.

On Sunday I visited the Royal British Legion Paisley Comrades Branch to celebrate at their VE Day Family Fun Day and today I'll be spending time with staff and service users at Johnstone Day Centre as they mark this special occasion with an afternoon of music, memories and celebration.

VE Day reminds us not only of victory, but of unity. People from all walks of life came together with a shared purpose, and that spirit of solidarity is something we can all draw strength from today.

As we look around our own streets, our families, and our community, let's carry forward that same spirit — of looking after one another, standing up for what's right, and remembering those who came before us with pride and gratitude.

Thank you to every person who fought in that war and who fights in conflicts now, thank you to every family who carried the weight of war and loss, and every person who helped rebuild peace.

Their legacy lives on in the freedoms we cherish and enjoy today.  Please don't ever take it for granted.

Lorraine

Published on Thursday 08 May 2025