08/05/2025
‼️‼️We will be open tonight for the lighting of the beacon at Orrest head, it’s being lit 9.30 pm ‼️‼️
(Copied from town council)
Everything is coming together for the big day and the VE80 Commemorations.
The Town Steward has repainted the beacon and the war memorial has been transformed by amazing local artists.
Windermere & Bowness Town Council is proud to join the nation's celebration of VE-Day 80 - the 80th Anniversary of the end of the war in Europe.
Thursday 8th May 2025
1:30pm - War Memorial, Lake Road, Windermere: There will be a short service led by local clergy. (If it is wet weather, the Ladyholme centre has kindly allowed us to use their main hall)
There will be an art installation at the war memorial to mark the event. It has been created by local residents and school children coordinated by the Bowness and Windermere Community Care Trust. Resident are invited to view the artwork and spend some time in quiet contemplation in the beautiful war memorial garden. The artworks will be illuminated at around 10pm that evening.
6.30pm - Church bells 'Ring out for Peace' across the town.
9:20pm - Orrest Head Summit Beacon Lighting
We warmly welcome you all as we hold our Beacon ceremony on the summit of Orrest Head in Windermere. The ceremony will begin at 9.20pm on THURSDAY 8TH MAY and our Beacon, one of the official chain of hill-top Beacons throughout the nation, will be ignited at 9.30pm.
Note: Matson Ground Estate are participating in the national beacon chain and lighting their own small beacon on their land at Brantfell. However, the main public event is on Orrest Head.
Orrest Head is now accessible to everyone including our less mobile residents, and this event is always very well-attended with a lovely atmosphere. We look forward to seeing you all on the summit!
IMPORTANT...Please remember that road access is for residents' vehicles only, please wear appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather conditions and carry a torch if you will be descending after dark. Please follow the directions of the Town Council event Marshals who will be wearing hi-vis vests.
