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06
Jun 2024
Beacons lit as Harrogate district D-Day commemorations end
9.15pm: Beacon light-ups begin
The spectacular view from Knaresborough Castle provides a fitting culmination to commemorations in Knaresborough.
The beacon lit in Knaresborough for the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
8.45pm: 1940s entertainment in Knaresborough
Crowds in the grounds of Knaresborough Castle have been entertained by a 1940s singer and Knaresborough Silver Band. There is now a short service of remembrance and the lighting of the beacon will follow at 9.15pm.
Flying the flag at Knaresborough Castle.
Town crier Mark Hunter
Knaresborough Silver Band
8.23pm: Royal Engineers form guard of honour in Ripon
Soldiers from 21 Engineer Regiment of the Royal Engineers, based at Claro Barracks in the city, formed a guard of honour to greet civic dignitaries and other attendees at tonight’s D-Day anniversary concert at Ripon Cathedral. The Engineers were awarded freedom of the city in 1949 so tonight’s event also celebrates the regiment’s 75t anniversary in Ripon.
D Day 2024
7.54pm - D-Day exhibition at St Mary's Church in Masham
Masham locals enjoyed fish and chips and a tot of rum at the D-Day exhibition at St Mary's Church this evening.
Old photos, diary entries and a former veteran's medals were displayed throughout the church.
A model version of the battle was also exhibited, which was partly painted by the children of the church choir.
Church warden and member of Mashamshire Royal British Legion, Jim Hunter MBE, told the Stray Ferret his father, W.H.Hunter, was sent out on the very first day of battle.
7.20pm - Spofforth serenaded with 1940s swing
Spofforth memorial hall was packed to commemorate D-Day this evening.
The hall was draped in the Union flag as those in attendance were treated to 1940s music and fish and chips.
Laura Barratt led the Spofforth Community Choir to serenade the hall with a variety of songs, including swing music.
Pete Lawson, who sits on the committee that organised the event, said the council "wanted to do something for the community".
6.35pm: Churchill arrives in Ripon
Jack Churchill, the great-grandson of British wartime leader Sir Winston Churchill, has arrived at Ripon Cathedral. Later this evening, he will light Ripon's D-Day 80th anniversary beacon.
Jack Churchill outside Ripon Cathedral
3.34pm: Hampsthwaite prepares for exhibition and Churchill film
Hampsthwaite History Group has sent us some photos from its exhibition, which begins at 6.30pm tonight at the Memorial Hall.
First, there will be a minute's silence at 4pm in Hampsthwaite Church Gardens, followed by bell-ringing.
The history group has organised a licensed bar, along with the opportunity for people to look at the exhibition before it shows the film Churchill, during an interval, and afterwards.
Organiser Elliot Gray-Clough said:
We have included profiles of all of the men and women from Hampsthwaite who are known to have served during the war, including the eight men who were killed. One, Robert Henry Fowkes, tragically poisoned himself in Hampsthwaite church!
We have also included copies of the front pages of the Yorkshire Post from June 1944 to show how it was reported at the time, as well as the 1939 register and the electoral rolls from 1940 and 1945, so that people can see either where their ancestors were living at the time, or who was living in their house.
One of the exhibits at Hampsthwaite
2.30pm: Spofforth set for D-Day
Spofforth is set for its D-Day commemorations tonight, which will include a lighting of a beacon (pictured below). The Spofforth becaon has been designed by Gary Harland, a local ferrier.
11.50am: Brief commemoration in Harrogate
About 50 people gathered at the War Memorial in the town centre for a short ceremony of commemoration conducted by the Royal British Legion.
The flag was lowered at 11am and two minutes's silence were immaculately observed in the cool sunshine. Sadly no Last Post, as the bugler was ill, but the solemnity of the occasion was maintained thanks to the RBL's Mark Comerford and the flag bearer, Cadet Warrant Officer Sam Crebbin of 58 Harrogate Squadron Air Cadets.
The Last Post was played in front of a small gathering in Harrogate.
10.50am: Soldier statue in Harrogate
Thanks to reader Bernadette Jervis for sending this image of a soldier seen in the window of auctioneers Tennants on Montpellier Parade in Harrogate.
9.58am: Proclamation read in Knaresborough
Town crier Mark Hunter delivered the proclamation at the Market Cross at 8am this morning. It will be read again at noon.
Town crier Mark Hunter delivers the proclamation.
9.14am: Flag raised in Pateley Bridge
The flag was raised at the war memorial at Pateley Bridge Recreation Ground at 9am this morning.
Saluting the fallen.
The flag is raised in Pateley Bridge this morning.
7.51am: Proclamation to be read at 8am
Town criers across the country will read the D-Day proclamation at 8am.
Knaresborough town crier Mark Hunter kindly sent us the proclamation, which will be read at the Market Cross at 8am and noon today. Here it is.
Today we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, France – an incredible achievement in military planning and logistics uniting brave service personnel from air, sea and land forces at the beginning of Operation Overlord.
By the day’s end, over one hundred and f50,000 allied troops had successfully stormed the now famous Gold, Juno, Sword, Utah and Omaha beaches to achieve a toehold in France.
In the weeks that followed, the Allies fought bitterly against a determined foe from the unforgiving countryside of Normandy to the liberation of Paris two months later.
We should all remember and never forget the selfless sacrifice and courage of all those involved and use this Commemoration to pay our tribute to those who gave so much to secure the freedom we all enjoy today.
God Save the King.
7.40am: Tank arrives at Ripon Cathedral
The life-size replica Churchill AVRE bunker buster tank stands guard on the forecourt of Ripon Cathedral ahead of today's commemoration events in the city that is home too the Royal Engineers.
Tonight, the tank made from wool and wood by Ripon Community Poppy project and Ripon Men's Shed. with assistance from Jennyruth Workshops, will provide a dramatic backdrop to the lighting at 9.15pm of a beacon by Jack Churchill, great-grandson of Britain's wartime leader.
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