Beacon lighting and wartime songs in Morecambe to mark 80th anniversary of D-Day

Wednesday, 24 April 2024 10:49

By Greg Lambert @greglam72

Leigh Rhianon Coggins, Morecambe singer, will perform war-time songs at the event

A beacon lighting will be held in Morecambe to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

Morecambe Town Council will be hosting a short reflective event outside Morecambe Town Hall at 9pm on June 6, which is open to the public.

The beacon lighting event will include nostalgic wartime songs performed by Morecambe-based singer Leigh Rhianon Coggins.

Earlier in the day, the Town Crier will deliver the official D-Day 80 Proclamation on the steps of Morecambe Town Hall at 8am, and again by the Clock Tower on the Promenade at around 8.45am.

The historic military operation on June 6 1944 saw Allied Forces from all around the world mount a large-scale invasion of Nazi-occupied France, which ultimately tipped the balance of the Second World War in the Allies’ favour.

The Morecambe event centres on the reading of The International Tribute and lighting of a specially-designed D-Day 80 beacon in conjunction with hundreds of others in cities, towns, and villages across the country, symbolically celebrating the light of peace that emerged from the darkness of war.

"The D-Day landings were the largest combined naval, air, and land operation in history and the stakes couldn’t have been higher, with over 150,000 Allied troops of many different nationalities landing in Normandy that day," said Councillor Lee Bradbury, vice-chair of Morecambe Town Council’s Festivals, Events and Sponsorships Committee.

"We feel it is important to take part in this nationwide moment of commemoration, celebrating the heroism and bravery of all who played their part and remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of peace and freedom from Nazi tyranny."

Limited seating will be available for the elderly and disabled at this otherwise standing event. Arrival at 8.45pm is recommended for 9pm start.