Oldham has unveiled an eight-day programme of 1940s-themed events to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, with everything from brass-band parades to a market-hall tea dance and the final illumination of the Civic Tower.

The commemorations begin on Saturday, 3 May, when a parade and brass band will march into Royton Cricket Club at noon, and the first of three daily sets by vintage vocalist Abbi-Kaye will ring out across Tommyfield Market. Bunting will stretch along Yorkshire Street from the same day, while a commemorative card inviting personal messages will hang outside the Next branch in the Spindles shopping centre until VE Day itself on Thursday, 8 May.

Veterans have organised their own gatherings: Royton’s ex-service community will gather at pub Rumours from 1 pm on Sunday, 4 May, for tea, coffee and a singer “belting out songs from the 40s”, with fancy dress encouraged. Only three residential roads have applied to close for private street parties, and the council is keeping the names of two further cul-de-sacs confidential, saying those celebrations are strictly for residents.

The programme ends on Sunday, 11 May, when Market Street in Shaw shuts to traffic from noon to 4 pm for a family tea dance featuring a ukulele band, 1940s fancy-dress contest and a parade of military vehicles. Armstrong’s Home of the Jumbo Cod will serve food throughout the afternoon. After Thursday’s illumination, the Civic Tower will be dark on future civic occasions; the council will switch ceremonial lighting to the Old Library once the town hall relocates there later this year.

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