Newhaven Remembers D-Day
D-Day80 in Newhaven – What’s On Guide
On Thursday 6th June the nation will come together 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.
Across the UK, from early morning when the sun rises to evening as night descends, church bells will ring out, special flags will be flown, schoolchildren will learn stories about their great grandparents, town criers will proclaim the victory, the haunting sound of bagpipes will fill the air and, in a final gesture of homage, beacons and Lamp Lights of Peace will be lit to signify the light that emerged from the dreadful darkness of war.
In 1944, Newhaven played an extremely important embarkation point for the D-Day landings, and at any one time the port was capable of handling 4 medium Express Coasters, 3 Landing Craft Tanks, 1 Landing Craft Infantry, 18,000 Troops per embarkation and 19 vessels per 24 hrs.
Newhaven Town Council has joined forces with Newhaven Fort and Newhaven Historical Society & Museum to bring a series of events to our community which focuses on the role the town played in the largest naval, air and land operation in history.
If you would like to learn more about D-Day or join us in paying tribute to all those that paid the ultimate sacrifice on D-Day and throughout WWII, please see below for further details or download the What’s On Guide.
Tuesday 4th June at 7.30pm
“BUT I’LL BE SOBER IN THE MORNING“
Speaker : Tony Harris
Join us for a tour through Winston Churchill’s life brought to us by actor/historian Tony Harris. During his last visit, he brought Henry VIII to life for us and now turns his attention to the Country’s greatest ever statesman. There will be anecdotes and snippets from his famous war time speeches plus the chance to question the great man afterwards about his thoughts on The Queen, De Gaulle and Stalin, among others.
Guests welcome: Entrance £5.00
Venue: Hillcrest Centre, Bay Vue Road, Newhaven BN9 9LH
Thursday 6th June
FREE WALKING TOUR WITH FRANKIE PULHAM
8pm Meet at Memorial Green
Join Newhaven Fort as we commemorate D-Day with a guided walking tour of Newhaven Harbour, delving into its pivotal role in Operation Overlord.
Experience Newhaven’s wartime heritage that lives around us all and hear some of the stories of the men and women who took part in the largest seaborne invasion in history.
“We marched into Newhaven and filled the local cinema. A naval officer told us about the big event and warned ‘Some of you will not be returning’…”
This is a FREE walking tour provided by the staff of Newhaven Fort.
The tour will last no more than 50 mins and will end at West Quay Promontory for the International Tribute & Beacon Lighting.
Venue: Please meet at Memorial Green for prompt 8pm start.
INTERNATIONAL TRIBUTE AND BEACON LIGHTING
Newhaven Town Council will be taking part in The International Tribute by lighting the Town’s Beacon.
Please join us for this unique opportunity to pay tribute to all those that paid the ultimate sacrifice on D-Day and throughout WWII as a whole, whilst fighting for the freedom we all enjoy today.
This is a FREE event.
Venue: West Quay Promontory, Newhaven (just south of the RNLI station). 9pm
PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS NO PARKING AVAILABLE AT THIS EVENT
20:50 – Meeching & District Bonfire Society Torch Light Procession
20:55 – Arrival of Deputy Lieutenant of East Sussex, accompanied by Newhaven & Seaford Sea Cadets
Followed by
Exhortation read by Newhaven Town Mayor Cllr. Pinky McLean- Knight
Last Post by Ms Heidi Watkins
Two Minutes Silence
Reveille by Ms Heidi Watkins
Kohima Epitaph read by Deputy Town Mayor Cllr. Sean Macleod
21:15 – Lighting of Beacon by Mr Steve Townsend as International Tribute is read by Deputy Lieutenant of East Sussex Juliet Smith
Friday 7th June onwards
NEWHAVEN MUSEUM 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY EXHIBITION
FREE Entry on SUNDAY 9th June 11am – 4pm
Includes Children’s Crafts
Venue: Newhaven Museum, Paradise Park, Avis Rd, Newhaven BN9 0DH