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.

Have you got a local news story? Email us now, newsdesk@beyondradio.co.uk

Join our free WhatsApp channel and get the latest news direct to your phone:

More from Local News

Morecambe FC’s Head of Commercial returns to club

Martin Thomas has returned to Morecambe Football Club as Head of Commercial.
PHOTOS: Traffic light flattened after crash near busy Lancaster city centre junction

This fallen traffic light is shown blocking a busy pavement in Lancaster city centre a week after a road crash.
PHOTOS: New Tesco Express supermarket set to open in Lancaster

A new Tesco Express and car park is almost ready to open on a former pub bowling green in Lancaster.
Crews tackle Lancaster caravan fire

Fire crews have tackled a blaze at a caravan in Lancaster.
High street chain Savers opens in Lancaster shopping centre

A popular high street retailer selling health, beauty and household goods is opening inside a Lancaster shopping centre.
Talks held on Morecambe UK Town of Culture tilt

Could Morecambe be the first ever UK Town of Culture?
Morecambe FC announce appointment of Chief Operating Officer

The appointment of a Chief Operating Officer has been announced by Morecambe Football Club.
Cat rescue champion hits out after Lancaster supermarket removes charity's collection point

A volunteer for a cat rescue charity has spoken out after a vital donations trolley was removed from a Lancaster supermarket.
Businesses wanting to team up with Eden Project Morecambe invited to drop-in event

Local businesses interested in joining forces with the Eden Project while they build and open their new visitor attraction on the Prom have been invited to get on board.
LISTEN: Film festival in Lancaster area to show powerful stories of refugees

A festival celebrating refugee stories on film is coming to the Lancaster and Morecambe area.
Disappointment for Lancaster as 2026 International Youth Games called off

This year's International Youth Games - where Lancaster was again due to compete against its twin towns - have been cancelled.
New car parking spaces open in Lancaster city centre

New car parking spaces have opened in Lancaster.
Stars to play in celebrity football match in Morecambe in memory of brave teenager

Soap and reality TV stars will play in a football match at Morecambe FC to raise money for a local cancer charity set up by a much-loved schoolboy.
U-turn confirmed on decision to pause Autism and ADHD referrals across Lancaster and Morecambe Bay

Plans to pause new referrals for autism and ADHD diagnoses for young people in Lancaster and Morecambe Bay have been put on hold, it has been confirmed.
Morecambe Promenade will NOT close during £2.6m electricity works

Residents and businesses have been reassured that Morecambe Promenade will remain open to traffic as a multi-million pound electricity upgrade continues.
Thumbs up for design changes marks start of "transformative year" for Eden Project Morecambe

Changes to the design of Eden Project Morecambe have been given planning approval - a decision hailed by Eden as a "major milestone".
Bolton-le-Sands pensioner, 81, targeted in telephone courier fraud banking scam

A Bolton-le-Sands pensioner in her 80s was targeted in a telephone courier fraud banking scam earlier today, said police.
LISTEN: Up to 200 homes between Slyne and Bolton-le-Sands refused

Plans to build up to 200 homes in fields between Bolton-le-Sands and Slyne-with-Hest have been turned down.
Volunteers plant 120 native trees at Royal Lancaster Infirmary as part of major nature recovery project

Volunteers from the Royal Lancaster Infirmary have helped plant 120 native trees in the hospital grounds, marking the latest step in a major programme to improve biodiversity and create greener, healthier spaces.
Celebrating 25 years since opening of Lancaster’s iconic Millennium Bridge

Lancaster’s iconic Lune Millennium Bridge is turning 25 today.