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September 2025 Page 15 AD SALES 01204 478812 VJ DAY SPECIAL United in remembrance Service: The gathering in Bolton town centre (Photo credit: Mayor of Bolton) Shining light: Rivington Pike lit up in tribute (Photo credit: Chorley Council) Exhibition: Horwich Heritage tells the story of the town’s heroes in the Far East (Photo credit: Horwich Heritage) BOLTON marked the 80th anniversary of the end of the Sec- ond World War with a series of poign- ant public services and celebrations. Each year, VJ Day commemorates the day Japan surrendered August 15, 1945, bring- ing an official end to the global conflict. While VE Day saw the end of the war closer to home in May 1945, many thousands of Armed Forces person- nel were still engaged in fighting in the Far East. In Bolton, Victoria Square and the town hall steps were fully dec- orated ahead of a public service in the square. After the service The Last Post was sounded and was followed by a minute’s silence. A sec- ond service took place later in the day at Bolton Parish Church and Bol- ton Market Food Hall hosted a special fam- ily celebration to mark the anniversary Nadeem Ayub, Bolton Council’s executive cabi- net member for culture, said: “The 80th anniver- sary of VJ Day will be a day of celebration, but also an opportunity for the community to come together and pay trib- ute to the Second World War generation. Bolton always turns out in force for these events.” Westhoughton’s VJ Day 80th anniversary service took place at the town’s war memorial. Rivington Pike was illuminated with a poppy and the Union Flag, standing proudly as a symbol of remem- brance and gratitude. And Chorley’s town hall clock tower shone in Red, White, and Blue, reflecting the enduring spirit of peace and unity. Chorley’s town crier led a commemoration in the square at the rear of the town hall – another moment to reflect, remember and honour those who served. A special VJ Day Wreath Laying Ceremony took place at the Adlington and District War Memorial. Horwich’s Heritage Centre put on a VJ exhibition centre tell- ing the story of the part townsfolk played in the war in the Far East, which ran until August 21.