D-Day events in Preston, South Ribble and Chorley to mark 80th anniversary

The Chorley Remembrance service. Pic: Chorley Council

To mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, a series of events are being hosted across Preston, South Ribble and Chorley.

Thursday 6 June marks the day which was the largest naval, land and air operation in history.

All three councils will be marking the occasion with a special beacon lighting ceremony.

Preston’s Flag Market will see a bell ringing from 6pm, Veterans and Cadets with the Hesketh Silver Band parade and choir performances leading up to the beacon lighting at 9:15pm.

South Ribble is hosting a similar ceremony Cenotaph on Hope Terrace in Lostock Hall from 8.30pm as well as Chorley, at the War Memorial in Astley Park at the same time.

The lighting of the beacon is a country-wide act of commemoration and remembrance to pay tribute to all those who took part in D-Day.

Councillor Matthew Farnworth, Member Champion for Armed Forces in South Ribble said: “I am so pleased that we can take part in the country-wide commemoration of the 80th anniversary of D-Day. It’s an incredible honour to light the beacon to pay tribute to all those who took part in D-Day and have fought for our freedoms.

“If you can, I would encourage you to come along and join us for what is set to be a wonderful occasion of remembrance and reflection.”

UCLan is also remembering the event by hosting a presentation on 7 June, where people can learn about the D-Day story, expertly told by Professor Martin Alexander and Brigadier Peter Rafferty.

The presentation will take place in the Darwen Auditorium with the doors opening at 6pm for a 6:30pm start. Tickets are £10 which includes dinner and all cadets and adult instructors are free.

The final event in Preston will be on 8 June and will see a range of events on the Flag Market including a parade, a 1940s fashion show inside the Guild Hall Foyer and military vehicle displays and cadet stalls on the Bus Station apron.

To find out more you can look at the ‘Visit Preston’ website.

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