PRESS RELEASE - Town Crier to read VE Day-80 Proclamation from Bognor Regis Museum

PRESS RELEASE…

On Thursday 8th May 2025, at 10.15am, the Principal Town Crier for the VE Day-80 Commemorations, Jane Smith, will read aloud the official Proclamation, here in Bognor Regis, as part of the Town’s commemorations for this special anniversary event. The Proclamation, written by Jane, was chosen by a panel of independent judges to be the official reading of Town Crier’s up and down the country.

Jane Smith has been the Bognor Regis Town Crier for 8 remarkable years, during which time she has achieved many accolades and been a fantastic ambassador for the seaside resort of Bognor Regis, with the writing of the VE Day-80 Proclamation the latest in a long line of proud achievements within her role.

Most notably, in June 2022, Jane delivered in rousing fashion, the Proclamation she had written for the beacon lighting as part of Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations, along with 145 other Criers throughout the United Kingdom and around the Commonwealth. She was invited to meet His Majesty the King, and other members of the Royal Family, at a Reception held at Windsor Castle in November the same year, in recognition of her contribution to the celebrations.

In 2023, she wrote the Commonwealth Day Proclamation, and was invited to proclaim outside Westminster City Hall, alongside the Lord Mayor of Westminster, celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the Late Queen signing the Commonwealth Charter.

Having initially been appointed to produce the regalia for the new Bognor Regis Town Crier role, as a seamstress, Jane ended up interviewing for the position, eventually being offered the role and has never looked back. Attending hundreds of events around the Town and beyond, Jane has become the ‘Jewel in the Crown of Bognor Regis’, and Bognor Regis Town Council continue to be immensely proud of her and all her wonderful achievements.

You can watch Jane give her Proclamation as part of the VE Day-80 commemorations from the Town’s oldest Victorian bathing machine (no less!) at Bognor Regis Museum, West Street, Bognor Regis, at 10.15am on Thursday 8th May.

She will be reading the Proclamation again later in the evening and leading the crowds in the singing of the classic hymn ‘I Vow to Thee My Country’, as part of Bognor Regis Town Council ‘s Beacon Lighting event from 9.15pm, as we mark the 80th Anniversary of VE Day, with some wonderful music, by LED electronic violinist Alleya, as well of course as the lighting of the beacon itself at 9.30pm, for which we are honoured to be joined by two Scots Guards Pipers.

ENDS…