Britain’s Got Talent winner Colin Thackery MBE joins Barnsley College for poignant VE Day commemoration

Famed singing war veteran Colin Thackery MBE joined Barnsley College staff, students and members of the local community for a poignant VE Day commemoration.

The Chelsea Pensioner and Britain’s Got Talent winner, aged 96, performed I Vow to Thee, My Country and Jerusalem during the event at Barnsley College’s Old Mill Lane campus on Friday 8 May.

Representatives from the Royal British Legion joined Barnsley College Principal and CEO David Akeroyd and Students’ Union Welfare and Activities Officer Eduard Cristea, as the event reflected on the significance of VE Day and the importance of remembrance for younger generations.

Barnsley College Principal and CEO David Akeroyd said: “At Barnsley College, remembrance is something we take incredibly seriously. Events such as this provide an important opportunity for our students and wider community to come together to honour the sacrifices made by previous generations and reflect on the values of peace, service and resilience that remain just as important today.

“We are incredibly grateful to Colin Thackery, the Royal British Legion and everyone involved for helping create such a meaningful occasion. Continuing to reflect ensures that the lessons and legacy of the past continue to resonate with younger generations.

“Days such as this are important for a number of reasons – they allow us to honour those who have come before us, reflect on the here and now, and think ahead to what we want to see in the world around us.”

Students’ Union Welfare and Activities Officer Eduard Cristea said: “We live in challenging times, but moments like this remind us why remembrance matters.

“Because the freedoms we enjoy today were not given – they were fought for.

“And it is our duty, as the next generation, to carry that memory forward. We may be the last generation to hear these stories firsthand – but we must never be the last to remember them.”

The event built on Barnsley College’s landmark VE80 commemorations last year, when the College became custodian of the Principal Lamp Light of Peace – a national symbol of remembrance blessed at St Paul’s Cathedral during a televised service attended by members of the Royal Family.

The Lamp Light of Peace was again a focal point of this year’s event at the College, but is otherwise kept proudly on display in the Civic Entrance of Barnsley Town Hall.

Colin Thackery MBE said: “VE Day is about remembering the courage, sacrifice and unity of a generation that lived through incredibly difficult times.

“VE Day will always be emotional because it reminds us of the sacrifices so many people made. I also remember the incredible sense of relief, togetherness and celebration when the war finally ended. It was a moment when communities came together with hope for a better future.

“To see young people taking the time to reflect and pay their respects is very special. I’m honoured to have been part of the event and to share this moment with the students, staff and wider community at Barnsley College.”