D-Day 80 Events in the North East and Yorkshire
This Thursday 6th June will mark 80 years since allied forces launched the largest seaborne invasion in history, an event which was pivotal to the defeat of Germany in the Second World War
At 9.15pm on Thursday, local communities across the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories will be lighting beacons to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day, while Lamp Lights of Peace will be lit on each of the five beaches in Normandy. The beacons will be lit to signify light of peace that emerged from the darkness of war. Here’s where you can go to see them lit…
Blyth
4pm onwards, Blyth seafront
Head to Blyth links from 4pm for Northumberland Remembers, a family-focused event with music from the era performed by Boulmer Military Wives Choir, Coquet Band and Soldiers of Swing. Make sure you look up at 6pm to catch a flypast from a Tiger Moth or a Chipmunk, and then head toward the Dave Stephenson Centre for 7.45pm where a commemoration service will be followed by the lighting of the beacon.
South Shields
8.30pm onwards, Lawe Top and Littlehaven Beach, South Shields
From 8.30pm on Thursday, head to Lawe Top. From here, you can head down to Littlehaven Beach, which will be lit by lanterns while actors tell the stories of the brave men that took part in the D-Day Landings. Look out for a flotilla of boats representing groups including the RNLI and Sea Cadets in the harbour and, at 9.15pm, gather at Lawe Top to see the beacon-lighting ceremony.
Spennymoor
8.15pm onwards, Jubilee Park
Spennymoor’s beacon-lighting ceremony will begin with music from the Spennymoor Town Band, before a speech from the Town Mayor and the all-important lighting of the beacon.
Ferryhill
8.45pm onwards, Ferryhill Town Hall Garden
Music from piper Adam Jenkins will accompany the beacon-lighting ceremony at Ferryhill, while an exuberant Party In the Park Event at Dean Bank Recreation Park will follow from midday on Saturday 8th June.
Billingham
8pm onwards, John Whitehead Park
Arrive at the park before the lighting ceremony to hear music from Billingham Silver Band, prior to a parade from the Billingham branch of the Royal British Legion at 9pm.
Stockton
7.40pm onwards, Parish Gardens and Stockton Central Library
Before the beacon is lit in Parish Gardens, Stockton Library will be hosting a display of World War II artefacts and local war history information from Preston Park Museum and Grounds. The commemorative service in the Parish Gardens will then begin at 8.45pm.
Masham
6pm onwards, St Mary’s Church
Events in Masham will begin at 6pm with an outdoor church service at the war memorial. From 7pm, St Mary’s Church will open to visitors who can experience exhibits and stories brought by members of the public. Enjoy a tot of rum and some fish and chips (you’ll need to place your order in advance at the Community Office) before heading to Roomer Common to see the beacon lighting.
Ripon
7pm onwards
Ripon Cathedral will be putting on a stellar concert of local musical talent including Ripon City Band, The Duchy Belles, The Dishforth Wives and Charlotte Porter (you’ll need a ticket for this) before the lighting of the beacon on the forecourt. It’s also well worth attending to see the life-size knitted Churchill AVRE tank created by Ripon Community Poppy Project and Ripon Men’s Shed, which will be on show in the forecourt between 5th and 6th June.
Knaresborough
7pm onwards, the Castle Grounds and War Memorial
Grab some fish and chips for supper, and spend an hour listening to 1940s music in the Castle grounds courtesy of Knaresborough Silver Band (D-Day Deals and wartime menus will be on offer at lots of local establishments). At 8pm there will be a parade from local cadet groups, before they march to the War Memorial for the lighting of the beacon.
Spofforth Village
6pm onwards, Spofforth Village Hall and Castle Field
Spofforth’s village hall will be hosting an evening of fish and chips with music from a community choir before attendees head to Castle Field for the lighting of the beacon. Tickets to the event in the village hall can be bought from Spofforth Deli.
Ecclesfield
5.30pm onwards, Ecclesfield Park
This family-friendly event promises to be action-packed, with live music, free face painting and rides for kids, a treasure hunt, a bake off competition (entries by 6.15pm), a tug of war (7.30pm) and a 1940s fancy dress competition, all before the beacon is lit at 9.15pm.
1940s Weekend at Bamburgh Castle
Saturday 8th–Sunday 9th June
Bamburgh Castle will be jumping forward a few centuries this weekend, and branching out from the Anglo Saxons to host a 1940s weekend packed with live performances, military vehicle displays, WW2 reenactment groups, a vintage pop-up parlour, crafts and a special Saturday flyover from a Tiger Moth plane.
D-Day 80 Party in the Park, Dean Bank Recreation Park
Saturday 8th June, 12pm–6pm
This free-to-attend event promises to be a fun-filled afternoon of live performances and family-friendly activities from face-painting to an inflatable assault course. Catering and refreshments (including a fully-licensed bar) will be available throughout.
Eden Camp Commemorative Event, Malton
Saturday 8th–Sunday 9th June
There’s no better time to learn about the Second World War and marvel at Eden Camp’s immersive exhibits. As well as the opportunity to see one of the only D-Day Map Plotting Machines, and a tank designed specifically for the invasion, this weekend there will be a special code cracker trail (with a prize at the end) and presentations on weapons and equipment, the role played by US Airborne troops, and the incredible story of Piper Bill, who played his bagpipes on Gold Beach in Normandy despite being under fire.
D-Day Weekend at Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds
Saturday 8th–Sunday 9th June
Alongside their usual displays, the Royal Armouries Museum will be putting on a range of special activities to mark the anniversary. These include blank gun-firing demonstrations, historic Vickers machine gun demonstrations (11am and 2pm), live performances that bring to life first-hand accounts of the landings, and a new interactive installation that will be available to visit throughout the month.
