Please join us on Thursday 6th June to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day. We have two events you can participate in. Our lamplighting ceremony will form part of a national chain of beacons and lamps being lit at 9.15pm across the UK. We are also honouring National Fish, Chips & Mushy Pease and its part in wartime morale, with a great deal at The Stork as part of official D-Day 80th Anniversary events.
Message from Pageantmaster of D-Day80, Bruno Peek CVO OBE OPR
“In 1944 Allied forces mounted the largest amphibious invasion the world has ever witnessed. Operation Overlord, D-Day, saw over 5,000 ships and landing craft set down more than 150,000 troops on the five Normandy beaches that would bring about the liberation of north-west Europe from Nazi occupation.
“In order to commemorate the peace and freedom given to us through the bravery and ultimate sacrifice of so many thousands involved in the D-Day landings, and throughout the whole of WW11, over one thousand beacons and hundreds of Lamp Lights of Peace will be lit across the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories – and in a very poignant and unique gesture, a special Lamp Lights of Peace lamps will be lit on each of the five beaches in Normandy, at 9.15pm local time that night, to coincide with the lighting of beacons at that time too.
“However, at 9.10pm, as night descends – and just before the beacons ignite – the resonant sound of bagpipes will be heard across the capital cities of London, Edinburgh, Belfast, and Cardiff. We will also have a presence in other major cities of the Allied nations that took part. From Washington DC to the distant shores of New Zealand’s Auckland, from Ottawa to Paris, and from Canberra to Brussels, Athens and Amsterdam, Oslo, Warsaw, and Prague.
“The light from the flames from the lamps and the beacons will represent the ‘light of peace’ that emerged from the darkness of war, with the lamp providing a very simple, safe, unique and cost effective way of taking part in this important 80th anniversary occasion, especially as once used, can be lit again at 11am on every Remembrance Sunday thereafter, in tribute to the many millions that sacrificed their lives during WWII.”
Simonstone’s Lamplighting Ceremony – 9.05 and 9.20pm
We’re also hosting a short LAMPLIGHTING CEREMONY on the parish green, opposite the Stork, between 9.05 and 9.20pm.
National Fish, Chips & Mushy Pease Day @ The Stork
The Stork are joining in the fun for another national D-Day event at our village pub, by supporting the event’s tie-in with National Fish & Chip Day. This is to celebrate and honour the part fish and chips played in upholding our nation’s wartime morale, this national dish was never rationed during the war, the Government knew they could never risk such a move.
We can happily confirm revised prices for the Fish & Chips on Thursday 6th June, as part of our official D-Day 80th Anniversary events.
Full-size portions: £20 for 2 or £14 each.
Half-size portions: £12 for 2 or £7 each.
Many thanks to the Stork for joining in with our D-Day events.
Truly hope to see you there.
Best wishes
Simonstone Parish Council