D-Day Commemorations

Join us as we mark the 80th anniversary of the Normandy Landings, which happened on 6 June 1944.

Events to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Normandy Landings will take place in Stockton-on-Tees next Thursday, 6 June.

A series of beacons will be lit across the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories on Thursday to recognise the sacrifices made by thousands of people and celebrate the years of peace resulting from their tremendous efforts.

And as part of the commemorations, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council will be holding a Civic Beacon ceremony in Parish Gardens, Stockton, hosted by the Mayor of Stockton-on-Tees, Councillor John Gardner.

As well as the beacon lighting ceremony, the Borough’s libraries will have an array of fascinating wartime artefacts, information and magazines on display, plus a World War 2 themed quiz.

Here’s what’s on:

D-Day 80: World War 2 quiz
Wednesday, 5 June, Stockton Central Library
11am – 12noon

Thursday, 6 June, Norton Library
2pm – 3pm
Test your knowledge on the Normandy Landings and join us to commemorate the largest sea borne invasion in history. The quiz events are free, but booking is essential.

For more information, please contact Stockton Central Library on 01642 526517, Norton Library on 01642-528019, or book online at www.stockton.gov.uk/book-library-event.

D-Day 80: World War Two wartime recipe swap
Wednesday, 5 June, Ingleby Barwick Library
1:30 PM to 2:30pm

Friday, 7 June, Billingham Library
11am – 1pm
Wartime recipe swap with wartime biscuit tasting. Bring along any recipes you wish to share (they don’t have to be wartime). Swap recipes with others and take away a recipe to try at home. Entry is free and no booking required. For more information contact Ingleby Barwick Library on 01642 528528 or Billingham Library on 01642 528084.

D-Day 80: World War Two memorabilia trail
Thursday, 6 June, Yarm Library
10.30am – 12pm
Join us in Yarm Library garden for a trip down memory lane to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D- Day landings. There will be a host of items look at from the library’s reminiscence collection which will generate discussion and a chance for remembrance to mark this historic event. This is a free, drop in event.

D-Day 80: Library exhibition
Thursday, 6 June
12noon – 4pm, Thornaby Central Library
Drop into this free exhibition and learn more about D-Day through photographs, newspaper articles and a film projection. Visitors are welcome to bring along their own photographs and memorabilia to share too.

BEACON LIGHTING CEREMONY
Thursday, 6 June
7.40pm – 8.40pm, Stockton Central Library
Head to Stockton Central Library ahead of the lighting ceremony where Preston Park Museum and Grounds will display local war history information, alongside World War II objects from their collection. Also on display will be ‘The War Illustrated’ magazines, a collection recently acquired by Stockton Reference Library.

8.45pm – 9.25pm, Parish Gardens, Stockton (the beacon will be lit at 9.15pm)
The commemorative D-Day service will start at 8.45pm in Parish Gardens where the Mayor and Deputy Lord Lieutenants of County Durham and North Yorkshire will pay tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of those who served.

Following a performance from female choir, Rhapsody, the event concludes with the lighting of a Beacon in Parish Gardens at 9.15pm to symbolise peace and light after the darkness of the war.

Parking will be available at Bishop Street carpark and High Street North carpark.