On Thursday, June 6th, 2024, Frampton Cotterell Parish Council was honoured to lead the village of Frampton Cotterell in commemorating the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings with a large community event at Centenary Field, culminating in the lighting of the Centenary Field Beacon.
Hundreds of local people came out to mark the occasion. Those in attendance enjoyed a drill by the Air Cadets, wartime music by the Crossbow Singers and Frampton Cotterell Male Voice Choir, and poppy-themed cupcakes and drinks provided by the parish council. Guests also had the opportunity to view a military vehicle and a fire engine close-up, and engage with WWII history through Liz Ferguson’s wonderful WWII Mini Museum exhibition. Freshly cooked popcorn was prepared by the Scouts, who provided invaluable assistance throughout the evening.
At 9:15PM, Parish Council chair, Councillor Linda Williams, lit the Centenary Field Beacon, contributing Frampton Cotterell’s “light of peace” to the hundreds of others in towns, villages, and communities across the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, and the Overseas Territories, and those lit on the Normandy Beaches code-named Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword. Accompanying the beacon lighting was a moving performance by pipe-player Andy Ferguson, and the reading of the International Tribute by Reverend Sharon Lovelock.
Frampton Cotterell Parish Council is honoured to have had the privilege of organising and hosting this historic event to honour the (approx.) 156,000 Allied Troops who landed in Normandy 80 years ago. The parish council would like to give special thanks to those who helped make this event possible, including the Frampton Cotterell Scouts and Guides, the Air Cadets, Patchway Fire Brigade, Jamie Meachin, Shirley Wilcox, the Crossbow Singers, Liz Ferguson, Andy Ferguson, Rev. Lovelock, the parish council staff, and all of the fantastic local volunteers who supported this event.
Finally, we would like to thank the hundreds of local people who attended, joining us in honouring and commemorating the sacrifices made by so many on June 6th, 1944.
Of the event, Parish Council Chair Councillor Linda Williams, said,
“This was a poignant and moving evening, appreciated by all who came together as a community to commemorate the D Day landings. I was honoured to light the beacon to mark the 80th anniversary, keeping the memory alive of all those involved who bravely fought for the peace that we currently enjoy.”
D-Day 80 Photo Gallery
Please enjoy our gallery of photos from this event.
If you have any photographs from Frampton Cotterell D-Day 80 which you would like to share in this gallery, please email communications@framptoncotterell-pc.gov.uk with your photographs and how you would prefer to be credited.
The Scouts did a great job showing the guests to the beacon!
The air cadets ran a tombola.
The Crossbow Singers and Frampton Cotterell Male Voice Choir performed wartime songs.
Patchway Fire Brigade brought along a fire engine for guests to take a look at close up.
Jamie Meachin kindly exhibited this military vehicle.
Liz Ferguson's fascinating WWII Mini Museum Caravan.
Some close ups of the inside of Liz Ferguson's WWII Mini Musuem.
Liz was happy to talk to guests about WWII!
Frampton Cotterell Parish Council provided refreshments.
All of these delicious cakes were made by local star baker, Shirley Wilcox.
The air cadets did a marvellous job of keeping the large crowds of people in order!
We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful evening.
Pipe-player Andy Ferguson played to the crowds before the beacon lighting.
The beacon proved a little tricky to light. Luckily, parish council Estates Officer, Steve, was on hand to lend assistance to Councillor Linda Williams!
Reverend Sharon Lovelock of Zion Church read out the International Tribute as the beacon was lit.
Thank you to everyone who attended our D-Day 80 Commemorations. We have a wonderful community!
Parish Council Chair, Councillor Linda Williams, with Rev. Sharon Lovelock, at the close of this lovely community event.
