80th anniversary of D-Day - how Nantwich will mark the event

Wreaths on war memorial after Nantwich Remembrance Service (1) (1)

Nantwich will mark the 80th anniversary of the Normandy “D-Day” landings with a day of events tomorrow (Thursday June 6).

D-Day – codenamed Operation Overlord – saw the largest seaborne invasion in history on Tuesday, 6 June 1944.

For many, the Allied invasion of Normandy during World War II changed the course of the conflict and history.

Nantwich Town Square will host a series of events throughout tomorrow, including a beacon lighting, a symbol of remembrance for the heroes who fought and the lives lost.

Attendees will have a chance to pay their respects and reflect on the significance of D-Day.

Commemorative events will begin on Nantwich Town Square at 8am with a Proclamation by Town Crier Devlin Hobson.

At 11am, there will be a D-Day Heroes Reading by Cadets and then 11.10am will see wreath Laying at the war memorial.

Between 1.30pm and 4.30pm a Church Peel will take place as St Mary’s Church bells will ring out to mark the anniversary.

Silhouetted soldiers and light display adjacent to war memorial (1) — Silhouetted soldiers and light display adjacent to war memorial

Also starting around 2pm there will be an Artisan Market, organised by JDL mini markets.

And then at 4.30pm, a D-Day Heroes Reading will be performed by town councillor Peter Groves

Between 4.40pm and 7.20pm, there will be “Music Through The Decades” by members of The Cat Radio.

At 7.25pm, a D-Day Celebration Reading will take place by Mayor of Nantwich, Cllr Stuart Bostock, followed by a further D-Day Heroes Reading by local Cadets.

Then at 7.45pm, a Chanson d’automne Reading will be performed by Cllr Loic Charbonneau, followed by an Autumn Song Reading by Cllr Arthur Moran.

At 8pm, a proclamation from Town Crier Devlin Hobson will be followed by a musical performance by the Cheshire Police Band.

At 8.55pm, there will be a Reading, Reverend Dr Mark Hart of St Mary’s Church, followed by General Eisenhower’s D-day Speech read by chair of Royal British Legion Nantwich branch, Phil Reade.

Then at 9.15pm, the Lighting of the Beacon will take place and there will be a Tribute Reading by Deputy Mayor of Nantwich, Cllr Mary Slinn.

Between 9.25 and 9.50pm, Cheshire Police Band will perform and ending on “God Save The King”.

(Images by Jonathan White)