Residents and visitors are being invited to the lighting of a Beacon in Stafford to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day. 

The Mayor of Stafford Borough will be lighting the Beacon in the award-winning Victoria Park as part of commemorations for the D-Day landings on the five beaches of Normandy on 6 June 1944. 

The event will get underway at 6pm with the Stafford Brigade Marching Band, and other entertainment has been lined up before a performance from the Stafford Military Wives Choir leads into the beacon lighting ceremony. 

There will be a short open-air service at 9pm including a bugler playing the Last Post and a two-minute silence before the beacon is lit.  

The Mayor of the Borough, Councillor Frank James, who will be joined by the Vice Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire on the evening, said he would love to see a big turnout from the local community. 

“The borough has a long history of supporting our military and I am sure many will want to demonstrate how grateful they are to those who have served our country across the globe, protecting the freedoms that we enjoy today. 

“It will be an honour to light the beacon to mark the anniversary of such a poignant date in our history on behalf of our communities across the borough.” 

The lighting will take place on the park’s bowling green. More information can be found from the Stafford Borough Council website Victoria Park Events.

There will also be a service organised by the Stafford Branch of the Royal British Legion on Saturday 8 June at the town’s St Mary’s Church at 11am to mark the anniversary. D-Day 80th Anniversary Civic Service - 8 June 2024.

Bruno Peek CVO OBE OPR Pageantmaster of D-Day80, and of the 80-day countdown to June 6, 2024, said: “In 1944 Allied forces mounted the largest amphibious invasion the world has ever witnessed. Operation Overlord, D-Day, saw over 5,000 ships and landing craft set down more than 150,000 troops on the five Normandy beaches that would bring about the liberation of north-west Europe from Nazi occupation.  

“In order to commemorate the peace and freedom given to us through the bravery and ultimate sacrifice of so many thousands involved in the D-Day landings, and throughout the whole of WWII,  beacons and Lamp Lights of Peace will be lit across the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories  - and in a very poignant and unique gesture, a special Lamp Lights of Peace lamps will be lit on each of the five beaches in Normandy, at 9.15pm local time that night, to coincide with the lighting of beacons at that time too. 

“The light from the flames from the lamps and the beacons will represent the ‘light of peace’ that emerged from the darkness of war, with the lamp providing a very simple, safe, unique and cost effective way of taking part in this important 80th anniversary occasion.” 

Press Release 6132