06 May 2024 - D-Day and Fish-&-Chips
In case you didn't know, Thursday June 6th will be the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
Weymouth played a very major role* in sending off the troops, and there will be a series of major commemorations and events across Weymouth, the UK and in France.
One of the stand-out events will be lighting beacons. From the official website:
"The heroism of those who landed on the shores of the Normandy beaches, represented a beacon of light for the world during a particularly dark period of war. It is therefore fitting that local communities ... and those along the shorelines of ... Normandy, France, should light Beacons on 6 June 2024, in 'tribute to the light of peace that they brought out from the misery of darkness during that dreadful campaign, of which many unfortunately did not return."
So we will of course be lighting our Sutton Poyntz beacon - at the same time as everyone else - 9.45pm on June 6th.
9.45 you say? Like me, you'll almost be ready for bed that late in the evening, So we're going to begin our event earlier and finish it off with the beacon lighting and a glass of something bubbly - to help us sleep.
As it happens, the association of fish-and-chip fryers have set their 2024 fish-and-chips celebration day to coincide with D-Day. So what else could we do than honour that other great tradition by having a fish supper at the Mission Hall first. Then I've heard that there might be a little quiz - I'm sure you can guess the topics the questions will address!! Finally we'll step outside just far enough to be able to see up the hill to the beacon, where some fit youngsters will have scaled the heights of West Hill to light the blue touch paper for us.
We've given Stracey's a provisional order, but now we need to confirm numbers of who is coming. For a tenner you're going to get a delicious portion of cod and chips (veggie option available on request) and we're going to provide the liquid refreshment. Please make contact with one of the committee members below for your tickets. Stracey's need to have the order confirmed in plenty of time so don't leave it too late - call, text or email now!
J & S
* Weymouth was host to over half a million troops and nearly 150,000 vehicles that departed the town in less than a year towards the end of the War in Europe. This of course included a major participation in troops leaving to fight in ‘The Longest Day’, the D-day invasion of occupied Normandy. The US 1st Division (‘The Big Red One’) were to cram on to vessels in Weymouth and Portland harbours prior to setting sail for France and the assault of Omaha Beach. The infantry were loaded on to small landing craft in Weymouth and ushered out to the larger transporter ships lying at anchor in Weymouth Bay while Portland played host to the larger hardware; tanks, guns, trucks, amphibious vehicles and other equipment.