D-Day events are set to take place across the country to celebrate the eightieth anniversary of the Normandy landings this week – here’s the schedule in the North East.
On Thursday (June 6), the country will mark 80 years since the allied forces crossed the English Channel to storm the beaches of Normandy, a pivotal moment in the fight for freedom during the Second World War.
The day is important for many families across the UK, and in County Durham, Yorkshire, Teesside and Tyneside, people will unite to remember the troops that left England’s shores in 1944.
Below is a full schedule of events for Thursday, June 6 in the region’s towns.
Redcar
A small-scale reconstruction of D-Day will take place in Redcar next week for the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings.
The largest seaborne invasion in history, on June 6, 1944, played a crucial role in liberating Western Europe from Nazi occupation.
Events are being held across the region for the 80th anniversary of the operation, and in Redcar, the British Legion and veterans, in partnership with Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, will be hosting a reconstruction of the D-Day landings on the beach, albeit on a much smaller scale. There will also be fishing boats and military vehicles creating a war scene with flares and pyrotechnics. A parade led by standard bearers, veterans and anyone else who wishes to take part will set off at 10.30am from the beach.
There will be stalls, memorabilia, military vehicles, and goods for sale. Adults and children are encouraged to dress up.
Darlington
In Darlington, St Cuthbert’s Church will host a special service, including the ringing out for peace event from 6.30pm, proclamations, tributes and performances by members of The Royal Signals (Northern) Band.
On Thursday from 12pm to 9.30pm, Care UK’s Ventress Hall, on Darlington’s Trinity Road, is welcoming local people to honour the 80th anniversary of D-Day with its very own lamp lighting ceremony.
Over 100 Care UK homes will take part in this nationwide tribute with care homes in Middlesbrough (Hadrian Park, on Marsh House Avenue) and Billingham (The Willows, on Cavendish Road) will be welcoming the public for similar events.
At Ventress Hall, the team have been hard at work organising a special event which will see residents and guests enjoy a 1940s-themed party, complete with bunting, flags, popular wartime songs and a talk from local veterans.
Stockton
A civic beacon ceremony, hosted by the mayor of Stockton, Councillor John Gardner, will be held from 8.45pm to 9.25pm, in the Parish Gardens, Stockton.
It will include tributes from the mayor and deputy lord lieutenants of County Durham and North Yorkshire, and a performance from Rhapsody, a professional female choir.
The event will conclude with the lighting of a beacon in Parish Gardens at 9.15pm aimed to symbolise peace, and light after the darkness of the war.
The Central Library in Thornaby, Stockton, will host a drop-in exhibition from 12pm to 4pm on Thursday, June 6, including a film projection, photographs and newspaper articles.
People are welcome to bring along their own photographs and memorabilia.
Preston Park Museum and Grounds in Eaglescliffe will showcase a display of Teesside war history information, alongside items from the museum’s Military Collection, while Stockton Central Library will showcase a newly acquired collection of “The War Illustrated” magazines.
Parking is at Bishop Street Car Park and High Street North car parks.
As well as the beacon lighting ceremony, the Borough’s libraries will have an array of fascinating wartime artefacts, information and magazines on display, plus a World War 2-themed quiz.
Here’s what’s on:
- World War 2 quiz, Thursday, June 6, Norton Library, 2pm – 3pm.
- World War Two wartime recipe swap, Wednesday, 5 June, Ingleby Barwick Library, 1:30 PM to 2:30pm & Friday, June 7, Billingham.
- World War Two memorabilia trail, Thursday, June 6, Yarm Library, 10.30am – 12pm, Library, 11am – 1pm.
- World War Two memorabilia trail, Thursday, 6 June, Yarm Library, 10.30am – 12pm.
- Library exhibition, Thursday, 6 June, 12noon – 4pm, Thornaby Central Library.
- Beacon lighting ceremony, Thursday, 6 June, 7.40pm – 8.40pm, Stockton Central Library. Parish Gardens, Stockton, 8.45pm – 9.25pm, (the beacon will be lit at 9.15pm). Billingham, Thursday, 6 June, 8pm – 9.30pm, John Whitehead Park. Thornaby, Thursday, 6 June, 11am – 9pm. Long Newton, Thursday, 6 June, 7.15pm – 10.45pm, Manor Gate Green.
Yorkshire Air Museum
The Yorkshire Air Museum has a vast schedule of celebrations for the D-Day anniversary, with events throughout the day.
Bright and early at 6am museum volunteer Ken Sanderson will broadcast on a genuine WW2 Halifax bomber radio transmitter/receiver to other radio hams in the UK and in Normandy.
At 11.30am, there will be a Service of Remembrance in the Chapel, conducted by the Museum’s honorary Chaplain, the Rev Charles ‘Taff’ Morgan MBE.
At quarter past 12, a bugler will play the last post, followed by the DC3 Dakota engine running, honouring the role played in the D-Day landings by this iconic paratrooper transport aircraft
A museum spokesperson said: “With the exception of the 6.00am event, visitors are welcome to join us for this.”
Stanley
On Thursday, Stanley Town Council will be unveiling a new memorial recognising the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day landing.
The new memorial will recognise the historical event and remember those who fought and died on D-Day and the operations surrounding it, including those from Stanley who died as a direct or indirect result of Operation Overlord.
The event will take place at the Beacon on Stanley Front Street, starting at 10.45am until approximately 11.20am.
Barnard Castle
A day of special events will take place in Barnard Castle next Thursday for the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
At 6.30am, a wreath will be laid at the Bowes Museum, followed at 8am by the town crier making the first proclamation on the town centre cobbles.
At 10.30am, the town crier will be joined by the Barnard Castle School Cadet Force for the second proclamation at Woodleigh.
From 10.30am to 2pm, a Second World War field kitchen will be set up in Woodleigh grounds, demonstrating how food such as beef stew was prepared. The stew will be available to purchase for lunch.
Church bells will ring out from 6.30pm to 7.15pm, and from 8pm, music of the 1940s will be played on Woodleigh grounds.
At 9.15pm, lamps of peace will be lit around Woodleigh and the international tribute will be led by the town mayor, followed by a piper’s lament.
North Yorkshire
A beacon will be lit at a North Yorkshire castle as part of national commemorations of the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
The anniversary, on Thursday, June 6, will see the nation come together to remember the tens of thousands of Allied forces who served in the Second World War operation – the largest amphibious invasion ever seen.
Operation Overlord, D-Day, saw more than 5,000 ships and landing craft set down more than 150,000 troops on five Normandy beaches that would ultimately bring about the liberation of north-west Europe from Nazi occupation.
At 9.15pm on June 6, beacons will be lit around the country, including at Middleham Castle, where residents are welcome to attend.
A beacon will also be lit in Bedale Park at 9.15pm, the culmination of an evening of commemorations.
At 6.30pm, St Gregory’s Church bellringers will join the national “ring out for peace,” while from 8pm, the Gershwin Gang will play 1940s swing music at the Bedale Park Bandstand.
Get the latest news, sports, and entertainment delivered straight to your device by subscribing to The Northern Echo here.
Yorkshire Air Museum
The Yorkshire Air Museum has a vast schedule of celebrations for the D-Day anniversary, with events throughout the day.
Bright and early at 6am museum volunteer Ken Sanderson will broadcast on a genuine WW2 Halifax bomber radio transmitter/receiver to other radio hams in the UK and in Normandy.
At 11.30am, there will be a Service of Remembrance in the Chapel, conducted by the Museum’s honorary Chaplain, the Rev Charles ‘Taff’ Morgan MBE.
At quarter past 12, a bugler will play the last post, followed by the DC3 Dakota engine running, honouring the role played in the D-Day landings by this iconic paratrooper transport aircraft
A museum spokesperson said: “With the exception of the 6.00am event, visitors are welcome to join us for this.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel