Taking place on Thursday, 6 June from 6.30-9.30pm, this will mark the 80th anniversary of the Normandy Landings, the historic operations which saw the Allied Forces mount the large-scale invasion of Nazi-occupied France which ultimately tipped the course of the Second World War in the Allies’ favour.
The event will start at 6.30pm when St Michael’s Church bellringers will join the national Ringing for Peace. Musical entertainment will be provided by the Bishop’s Stortford Band and The Rockabellas, a vintage singing trio who will perform classic war-time favourites.
Refreshments, including fish and chips, ice cream and drinks will be available for purchase in the Sworders Field area. Fish and chips were seen as a morale booster for the troops so were not rationed during the war.
The formal part of the commemoration will start at 8.40pm with poetry readings by school children from Hockerill Anglo-European College, Leventhorpe School, The Bishop’s Stortford high School, St Michael’s School and Thorn Grove School.
Standard Bearers and Cadets will march from the Markwell Studio, arriving at the War Memorial at 9pm for the Act of Remembrance which will include a two minutes silence. Branch President of the Bishop’s Stortford branch of the Royal British Legion, John B Robinson, will deliver The International Tribute as a beacon is lit at 9.15, after which the National anthem will be played and wreaths laid.
Details of car parks near Castle Park can be found on the council’s website.
