D-Day 80 Commemoration Events

Holmes Chapel Parish Council

The Council was proud and honoured to work with Churches Together and the Holmes Chapel Royal British Legion to commemorate 80 years of the D-Day Landings.

The evening began at 6.30pm when the bells of St Luke's Church rang out for peace, which was a fitting and beautiful start to what was to be a wonderful evening. This was followed by a poignant and reflective Churches Together Service. Attendees then gathered around the war memorial to listen to the reading of the International Tribute, written specifically for this occasion. A wreath was then laid, followed by the lighting of the beacon.

A tank was brought into the village for all to enjoy and the article concludes with an expression of thanks to all involved to make the event so special. You can read a full account and admire all the photographs at this link https://www.holmeschapelparishcouncil.gov.uk/post/holmes-chapel-remembers

Frodsham Town Council

The events began with a celebratory lunch of fish and chips, supplied by 4 Seasons, for all of our residents in our care / nursing homes and for those attending our OPAL group. This was followed by a commemorative Afternoon Tea hosted by Frodsham Bee Friends for 80 of our elder residents at the Parish Hall. Finally, in the evening a more solemn event took place at Frodsham's War Memorial.

The walk from the Memorial Gates to the Monument was flanked by poppies made by pupils from our four primary schools, Ancora House School and our local Brownies and Girl Guides. The railings surrounding the Monument were adorned with poppies made by members of the local OPAL group and members of the St Laurence Craft & Chat group. It looked very striking as the sun set on the day.

It was a reflective evening and fitting that our community should light four peace lamps in 'tribute to the light of peace' that those brave men and women brought out from the misery of darkness during the dreadful campaign in Normandy, of which many unfortunately did not return. https://frodsham.gov.uk/2024/06/frodsham-town-council-commemorate-the-80th-anniversary-of-the-d-day-landings/

Marston Parish Council

We commemorated D-Day with a service of commemoration and tributes at the war memorial, supported by Rev. Alec Brown from Great Budworth Church. Councillors read tributes and poems and joined in the lighting of lanterns and laying of poppies in the representation of the 'light of peace' and remembrance.

We had refreshments in the hall and entertainment from 'The Misfits' who dressed in WW2 outfits and had us all singing and joining in with songs from the era. The hall and War memorial were decorated with bunting and War time posters. We presented all who attended with badges commemorating D-Day 80 years from the British Legion.

Shavington cum Gresty Parish Council

Shavington-cum-Gresty prides itself on fostering community spirit and engagement. With the help and support of our amazing councillors and team, we successfully organised and delivered the Shavington-cum-Gresty D-Day program, showcasing our community's strength and creativity.
We teamed up with Shavington Academy to create an exclusive interview with D-Day veteran Sergeant Bernard Morgan. This interview, shared on social media, garnered over 4,000 views, effectively connecting our community to history (here the link: https://fb.watch/syR909R1tc/ )

A major highlight was the two-day exhibition curated by local historian Mark Potts. Featuring documents, photos, and artifacts from WWI and WWII, it showcased stories of local residents who served in the wars. Read the full Shavington article HERE.

Helsby Parish Council

Helsby Parish Council paid tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice 80 years ago with a service at St. Pauls Church Helsby to unveil a commemorative bench in the Church Garden. It was placed in front of garden that in the spring is full of daffodils and a recently seeded wildflower area. The service was conducted by the reverend Noel McGarrigle, and members of the community and staff and pupils of Hillside Primary School and Chair of the Parish Council attended the service of commemoration.

Later that evening members of the Parish Council lit the beacon at the top of Helsby Hill. Despite the arduous task of getting the beacon to the top of the hill and assembling it, once lit it made a fitting tribute at the sunset on the day of remembrance.

Alvanley Parish Council

Alvanley Parish Council purchased a Peace Lamp in commemoration of 80 years since the D-Day Landings. On Thursday, 6th June, at 10.00 a.m. there was a Communion Service in our Church to acknowledge the above and to dedicate the Lamp. Thanks are extended to Ciaran, Ches.Wood Working Co. for the wooden base he has donated for the lamp to rest on and thanks also to Mr. James Timpson who was kind enough to donate the brass plaque for the lamp. Thanks were extended to Revd Hilary Merrington who officiated at the Alvanley Village Commemoration service for the D-Day remembrance. The Parish Council Peace Lamp was on display. The Church looked splendid as it was decorated by Allison and Carol McCue with poppies and other memorabilia.

Comberbach

The evening of 6th June started with local resident, John Hardy, giving a talk in the Memorial Hall about living through World War 2 as a boy. He was 10 years old at the outbreak of the war and lived on the south coast. He saw thousands of enemy aircraft heading for West London during the Blitz and, later, the build-up of Allied forces prior to the D-Day landings. But it was the personal anecdotes that brought the talk to life, aided by local maps. At 9.10pm, everyone gathered outside and Mr Hardy read out the names of those from the village who had sacrificed their lives and were forever remembered on the War Memorial.

On Sunday 9th June afree event was held for residents in the Memorial Hall. There were two miniature models on display detailing nearby Marbury Hall in all its finery, together with a model of Marbury Army Camp in 1944 detailing what the park looked like around the D Day invasion with all the army huts in situ. There was a display of photographic memories of Comberbach. A local resident brought his 1933 Talbot which was used throughout the war in the Gloucestershire area all kitted out for the hours of darkness during the War years with white stripes on the mudguards and tiny slits on the blacked-out headlights.