Sussex D-Day events commemorating 80th anniversary

Thursday, June 6, marks the 80th anniversary of the biggest invasion by sea of the Normandy beaches.

D-Day celebrations and remembrance ceremonies are taking place across Sussex to mark the Allied attack.

Hove

Cadets from the city will form a parade along Hove seafront on June 6 from 8.45pm, leading up to the Hove Beacon. The mayor, councillors, members of the Royal Sussex Regiment Veterans Association and veterans from the newly formed Brighton & Hove Veterans group will be joining the ceremony, which will be followed by the lighting of a beacon.

Eastbourne

The Mayor of Eastbourne will be commemorating the anniversary with a ceremony outside the Town Hall at 9am on June 6. A D-Day 80 Flag of Peace will be raised and the mayor will lead a minute’s silence.

Hailsham

A Hailsham care home will open its doors to the community on June 6. Care UK’s Bowes House on Battle Road will be celebrating with live 1940s music, a buffet, raffle and lamp lighting. The Royal British Legion Hailsham and District Branch will also be holding a service at Hailsham War Memorial at 6.30am on June 6.

Hailsham War Memorial (Image: Google Street View)

Worthing

Worthing Town Hall will be joining in with a borough-wide bell ringing on June 6. At 6.30pm, the town hall will be accompanied by St Andrew's in Tarring, St Botolph's in Heene, St Mary's in Broadwater, St Mary's in Goring and All Saints Findon Valley in ringing out.

Crawley

From 8pm on June 6, celebrations and a beacon lighting will take place at Tilgate Park. There will be music and speeches to commemorate the anniversary.

East Wittering

Spitfires will take part in a flypast over East Wittering village on June 6 at 7.15pm. The event will be followed by a photo exhibition, poetry readings and a beacon lighting at Downview Hall.

Littlehampton

A beacon will be lit at Littlehampton seafront on June 6 at 9.15pm by the mayor of Littlehampton. The Littlehampton Sea Cadets will also perform outside the seafront kiosks.

Littlehampton beach (Image: Google Street View)

Selsey

A civic ceremony will take place at the East Beach Green in Selsey on June 6. A service will be led by Reverend Wilkes, accompanied by music from Chichester City Band, and will be followed by a beacon lighting ceremony.

Shoreham

A beacon will be lit at Shoreham Fort at 9.15pm on June 6. Friends of Shoreham Fort have also created a museum exhibition that showcases Shoreham’s involvement in D-Day at the Marlipins Museum.

Chichester

The Duke of Richmond will be lighting a beacon on St Roche’s Hill, the Trundle, at 9.15pm on June 6. The University of Chichester will also be hosting a commemoration event with a remembrance service by Reverend Dr Alison Green, followed by a public lecture by Professor Hugo Frey.

The Trundle (Image: Google Street View)

Southbourne

A picnic will be held at Southbourne Recreation Ground on June 8, followed by live music from Chichester Big Band at Southbourne Village Hall.

Seaford

Churches in Seaford will ring their bells at 6.30pm on June 6 to honour those who served. At Splash Point, visitors will be welcomed by Town Crier, Peter White, and an event will be led by the Mayor of Seaford. A beacon will then be lit at 9.15pm.

Peacehaven

A service will be held at the War Memorial led by the Royal British Legion on June 6 at 10.45am, with refreshments provided by Kemptown House. This will be followed by an evening event at Centenary Park at 6pm with the beacon lighting at 9.15pm.

Newhaven

Newhaven Town Council are holding a series of events between June 4 and 9, including walking tours through the town and an exhibition. A beacon will also be lit at West Quay on June 6 at 9.15pm, and will be attended by the deputy lieutenant of East Sussex and the Newhaven and Seaford Sea Cadets.

Crowborough

Goldsmiths Leisure Centre is hosting an event at 6.30pm on June 6, involving a recording of church bells, a welcome from the Mayor, a drill display from the RAF Air Cadets and 1940’s music. At 9.15pm, the Crowborough beacon will be lit.

Goldsmiths Leisure Centre (Image: Google Street View)

Ditchling

A service will be held at Ditchling War Memorial at 11am on June 6 attended by HM Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex.

Rotherfield

A Sunday commemoration service will also be held at Rotherfield War Memorial at 10am on June 9.

Uckfield

Victoria Pleasure Ground will see a family event take place on June 6 between 6pm and 9.15pm. There will be live music, a barbeque, games, and a proclamation by the Town Crier. A beacon will also be lit at 9.15pm.