Arboretum Hosts Special Episode of BBC Antiques Roadshow Commemorating 80 Years Since VJ Day

Visitor Announcement

The Armed Forces Memorial, and its immediate surroundings, will be closed to visitors from 10am on Friday 8 August to 5pm on Sunday 17 August to allow us to prepare to host the national VJ Day 80 commemorations. The rest of the Arboretum's 150-acres will remain open to visitors as normal. We are sorry for any inconvenience this might cause and appreciate your understanding during this time.

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The Arboretum will serve as a poignant backdrop for the latest episode of BBC One's weekend favourite, 'Antiques Roadshow'. Airing this Sunday (10 August), the 'VJ Day Special', will see Fiona Bruce take viewers back to 1945 to uncover the stories of those who served, and reflect on the events leading up to the end of the Second World War.

 

As the Nation's year-round place to remember, home to many memorials commemorating conflict in the Far East during the Second World War, the Arboretum was selected to host this special episode to mark the 80th anniversary of VJ (Victory Over Japan) Day. The broadcast occurs the weekend before the Royal British Legion will hold a National Commemorative Event at the Arboretum on VJ Day (15 August) that will be shown live on BBC One.

 

Broadcast on BBC One at 8.15pm on Sunday 10 August and available on BBC iPlayer, this special episode of Antiques Roadshow will explore the stories of those who served in the Far East and the horrors endured by those who were interned in Japanese prisoner camps.

 

In addition to the iconic Armed Forces Memorial, the episode will feature several memorials from the Arboretum's Far East area, with host Fiona Bruce telling viewers about their significance and the importance of remembering all those who sacrificed and served during the Second World War. Alongside historical artefacts and the family stories behind them, you can expect to hear testimony from veterans, descendants, and other people who experienced the war first-hand.

 

To watch the 'VJ Day Special', visit BBC iPlayer.