Special D-Day event on Epsom Downs
Special D-Day event on Epsom Downs
Beacon lighting event to mark the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings to take place on 6 June
Main image (c) Epsom & Ewell Borough Council
From 7-9:30pm on 6 June, a special event is taking place on Epsom Downs to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings, which marked the invasion of north-west Europe by the allied forces during the Second World War.
The D-Day Landings are recognised as the largest naval, air and land operation in history, with more than 150,000 troops landing on five beaches in Normandy and bringing about the liberation of north-west Europe from Nazi occupation.
The event is free to attend and open to the public, who are invited to come to Epsom Downs Racecourse from 7pm. The grandstand will be open, and fish and chips and refreshments will be on sale, alongside a range of entertainment.
At 9pm, a beacon lighting ceremony will take place on Epsom Downs. This is part of a national chain of beacon lighting across the country, as well as along Normandy and the coast of France.
The chain of beacon lighting is designed to represent the ‘light of peace’ that emerged out of the darkness of war and violence.
Cllr Clive Woodbridge, Chair of the Community and Wellbeing Committee at the council, said: “The beacon lighting event is an opportunity for the community to come together to honour the thousands of people involved in the D-Day landings. Their brave actions enable us all to enjoy the peace and freedom we have today.
“We look forward to welcoming residents and visitors to this special and important event.”
National Fish and Chip Day, usually on the first Friday in June, has been moved to the anniversary date this year to honour those involved in the D-Day Landings. As the unofficial British national dish, fish and chips have an important place in our culture, and the British government safeguarded the supply of fish and potatoes during the war in order to boost morale.
