Join Chorley Council as they mark the 80th Anniversary of D-Day with special beacon lighting
Thursday 6 June marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the largest naval, land and air operation in history.
The council will be marking the occasion with a special beacon lighting ceremony at the War Memorial in Astley Park from 8.30pm and are inviting the community to come along to join them in remembrance.
The lighting of beacon is a country-wide act of commemoration and remembrance to pay tribute to all those who took part in D-Day, whether as part of the landings or supporting from the United Kingdom.
Beacon lighting
Date: Thursday 6 June
Location: War Memorial in Astley Park
Time: 8.30pm - 9.15pm
Residents are being invited to arrive from 8.30pm for an 8.45pm event start. The event will be joined by Rivington and Adlington Brass Band and the beacon will be lit at 9.15pm.
Town Crier and the Lighting of Rivington Pike and Chorley Town Hall
A Town Crier will read the official proclamation at 8am at the rear of the Town Hall.
Town Hall and Rivington Pike will be lit up from 9.15pm to mark the occasion and the council will also have a D-Day anniversary flag flying at the Town Hall.
Service at St Laurence's Church
On Thursday, 6th June, there will be a commemorative D-Day service at St Laurence's Church to mark the 80th anniversary of the event.
The service will begin at 7.30pm, giving worshippers the opportunity to also attend the council's Beacon Lighting at Astley Park which will be at 8.45pm
We will be working with the Chorley and District Armed Forces Community in this service, and all, especially those with military connections, will be warmly welcomed.
You can find more details about other local acts of commemoration for D-Day by joining the group Chorley & District Armed Forces Facebook Group.
How can you get involved?
National Fish and Chips Day - have a chippy tea!
The biggest food awareness day of the year, National Fish and Chip Day, will be back this year and is moving from its traditional Friday slot to Thursday 6th June 2024, in support of the D-Day 80th celebrations.
National Fish and Chip Day has always brought the nation together to celebrate this iconic dish, and because of the strong links fish and chips had with WWII.
Fish and chips are often considered the British national dish and this humble meal was a vital ingredient of the war effort in both the First and Second World Wars.
The British Government safeguarded the supply of fish and potatoes during both world wars to ensure the dish remained a boost to morale and these foods were among the few not to be subject to rationing during both world wars.
The D-Day 80 Lamp Light of Peace
There will be many locations such as hospitals, care homes, pubs, and restaurants etc, that would like to take part in D-Day 80, but do not have the land or facilities available to light a Beacon. You may even wish to pay tribute at home.
People are being encouraged to light a candle or another special light, or purchase a Lamp Light of Peace, to pay tribute to those that gave so much to enable us to share the freedom we have today.
The light from the flame will represent the 'light of peace' that emerged from the darkness of war.
The official Lamp Light of Peace can be purchased at www.lamplightofpeace.co.uk