News Round Up – New Romney’s D-Day 80 Commemoration Events
Published: 09 July 2024
News Round Up – New Romney’s D-Day 80 Commemoration Events
On Thursday 6th June 2024 the UK and France held a series of commemorations and events to remember D-Day, 80 years previously. New Romney town and community was pleased to be able to play their part in this commemoration, with events throughout the day, commencing at 8am when The Right Worshipful the Mayor of New Romney, Cllr John Rivers read the official Proclamation, standing in the Memorial Garden, in New Romney. This was broadcast on the Town Council’s Facebook page.
Later that morning, at 11am, along with many other schoolchildren in the country, pupils from St Nicholas CE Primary school and The Marsh Academy joined forces in the memorial garden, to recite a poem ‘D-Day Heroes’, that had been specifically written for the day, by Roy Palmer, Chelsea Pensioner and Herald.
Lunchtime found the Mayor hosting an enjoyable and tasty fish and chip D-Day themed luncheon in the Assembly Rooms, for invited guests, raising money for a variety of Armed Forces charities. Other lunches and events were similarly taking place around the town, laid on by other organisations. Town Council photos were on display of HMS Romney, which was one of the flotilla leaders during the invasion of Normandy.
Following lunch, the Mayor, Cllr Rivers, and Deputy Mayor, Cllr Coe, visited the Remembrance bench, on The Greens, at Littlestone, to place a wreath to remember the sacrifices made on D-Day.
The main event for New Romney took place on The Greens at Littlestone, in the evening, when a large number of the community came together to remember, learn about and commemorate D-Day, and the events that had taken place both locally and nationally around our coast, and across the Channel. This free event incorporated a static display of wartime military vehicles and re-enactors, with a beach-head and minefield, by the Royal Naval Beachhead Commandos Reenactors (RNBCR). Members of the public were able to see and handle some of the original equipment on display and find out about how it was used and the events that took place on D-Day and before and after.
Fish and Chips were available as part of the National Fish and Chip Day, in recognition of the fact that this humble meal was a vital ingredient of the war effort in both the First and Second World Wars. The British Government had safeguarded the supply of fish and potatoes during both world wars to ensure the dish remained a boost to morale and these foods were among the few not to be subject to rationing during both world wars.
Musical entertainment was supplied by the East Kent Piping Society before the main Commemoration event took place, with members of the local Sea, Army and Cadet forces, the Royal British Legion, the RNLI, the Town Council and Hythe Town Concert Band all playing a part in recounting the events and sharing this poignant act of Remembrance. The evening culminated in the lighting of the brand new New Romney town beacon, with assistance from the local branch of the Kent Fire and Rescue service.
Photo courtesy of E Reynolds