Beacon Lighting to commemorate 80th anniversary of D-Day

On Thursday, June 6 Llandudno Town Council joined other Towns and Cities across the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories, by lighting a beacon to remember the tens of thousands of allied forces who gave service on D-DAY eighty years ago and helped secure the peace we in the UK enjoy today.

Crowds, young and old turned out to watch the lighting of the beacon by the Mayor of Llandudno, Cllr Michael Pearce, including veterans, school children, and cadets and officers from the Navy, Army and Air Cadets.  A piper welcomed everyone to the event.  Llandudno Town Band played a selection of music from the 2nd World War era, and pupils from Ysgol John Bright and cadets from each cadet force read out a poem explaining the events of D-Day in both English and Welsh.  A bugler played Last Post before a minutes silence was held followed by Reveille.  The sound of the piper playing “Flowers of the Forest” filled the air before the lighting of the beacon by the Mayor. Poet Angela Parker also recited her poignant and moving poem about the Second World War ‘Six Years of your Lifetime’.  The evening finished with the singing of the National Anthems followed by Dame Vera Lyn’s “We’ll Meet Again” by singer Anna Marie Munro.

The Mayor of Llandudno, Cllr Michael Pearce said “It is so important that we remember the sacrifices that were made during the Second World War to secure our future and I would like to thank everyone who participated in the event and all those who turned out to watch.  It was wonderful to see so many people commemorating this important anniversary together”

Earlier that day, a short service had also been held by the Town Council on the Promenade to raise a special D-Day 80 flag.