Beacon to light up to commemorate 80th D-Day Anniversary

Beacon to light up to commemorate 80th D-Day Anniversary 

• Beacon lighting ceremony to close event at Beacon Country Park   
• Live music performance before beacon lit at 9.15pm  
• More events taking place in Borough on June 6, including a Veterans afternoon tea  

A beacon lighting ceremony will mark the climax of special commemoration events to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day.  

The sky will glow as the beacon flames flicker at Beacon Country Park in Up Holland, as West Lancashire Borough Council joins the nation in paying homage to the Normandy Landings on June 6, 1944, during World War II.  

It is widely recognised as the largest seaborne invasion in history.  

The twilight event begins at Coppice Cafe at 7.30pm with performances from vintage singer Hattie Bee and a ukelele band while refreshments are served.  

A piper will then lead the beacon-lighting ceremony parade before the Town Crier reads the proclamation. Deputy Lieutenant of Lancashire Martin Ainscough will light the Beacon and lead the Nation's Tribute at 9.15pm.  

Other D-Day events taking place in the Borough: 

• Flag raising ceremony at Derby Street offices in Ormskirk, June 6, 10am  
• Veterans' afternoon tea at Council’s Cabinet & Committee Room, with performance from the Greenberg Sisters in Mayor's Parlour (June 6, 1.30pm to 4pm)  

Councillor Paul Hennessy, West Lancashire Borough Council’s Armed Forces Champion, said: “The Beacon-lighting ceremony is set to be a poignant and beautiful way for our Borough to commemorate the D-Day 80th Anniversary.  

“It will be the culmination of a day of social events across West Lancashire, as the community, organisations, schools and veterans come together to mark one of the most significant days in our history.”  

Any veterans and their families interested in attending the afternoon tea, please email member.services@westlancs.gov.uk or call 01695 58 52 07