Trafford & Stockport College Group joined communities across the UK in marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day — a significant moment in history that commemorates the end of World War II in Europe.

At Stockport College, staff came together for a poignant “shared moment” of reflection, honouring the bravery and sacrifices of those who lived and served during the war years from 1939 to 1945.

The event was followed by a shared lunch in the Business Centre, with colleagues enjoying food and conversation to mark the occasion. The lunch was coordinated by Sarah Wood, Sarah Boswell, and Dawn Edwards — a huge thank you to them for their efforts in bringing everyone together.

Meanwhile, Cheadle College hosted local MP for Cheadle, Tom Morrison, on his first official visit to the campus. Students were given the opportunity to meet with Mr. Morrison and share their experiences, ambitions, and pride in their local community.

To bring history to life, Trafford College (Altrincham campus) and Stockport College offered an immersive audio-visual experience in their state-of-the-art Igloo Caves.

Students and staff were invited to drop in and watch specially curated archive footage from Pathe News covering VE Day in 1945, alongside highlights from this year’s 80th anniversary celebrations.

The footage was displayed in high-resolution 3D, offering a moving and memorable encounter with history.

Special thanks to Ian Steel at Altrincham, and Hatham Tarbah and Frank Smith at Stockport, for setting up the experience and helping to make the day one to remember. Michelle McLaughlin, Head of Personal and Professional Development, shared her thoughts on the day: “It’s important that we take time to reflect on the sacrifices of previous generations while helping our students understand the significance of events like VE Day. Today was about connection, remembrance, and community — and I’m incredibly proud of how our staff and students came together to mark the occasion.”