The North Rode 80th Anniversary D-Day Commemoration was a resounding success and enjoyed by over 115 villagers, family and friends on Thursday 6th June 2024, joining commemorations taking place simultaneously across the whole of the United Kingdom.
North Rode Parish Council chose to mark the event with a Fish and Chip supper at St Michael’s Church, to signify the importance of the farming and fishing communities to the war effort. Following ringing of the church bells for peace at 6:30, the local Wychcraft Big Band serenaded the audience to the sounds of Glen Miller and other big band sounds of the 1940’s, whilst D-Day images and films were played in the background. The church porch was made up made to resemble an Air Raid Shelter with sand bags and signs and the interior decorated with flowers, flags and atmospheric lighting kindly set up by Lightech of Bramhall Hill.
Following a George Formby singalong to a banjolele played by Parish Council Chairman, Huw Williams, The catchy beats of the era had old and young alike dancing in the Aisles. Nettie, the sheepdog from Bramhall Hill Farm came along too – apparently she loves live music and parties!
The evening was rounded off with the lighting of the very recently refurbished beacon at precisely 9:15pm to the words of the D-Day Tribute below, followed by the Last Post and after a silence, Reveille, played by a trumpeter from the Wychcraft Band:
The Nation’s D-Day Tribute
Let us remember those who gave their lives at
home and abroad during the D-Day landings,
whose sacrifice enables us all to enjoy the
peace and freedom we have today.
Let us remember those who came home
wounded, physically and mentally, and the
friends and family who cared for them.
Let us remember those who returned to restore
their relationships and rebuild their working
lives after years of conflict and turmoil.
Let us remember the families that lost husbands,
wives, sons, daughters and sweethearts.
Let us remember the servicemen and women
and merchant seafarers of all nationalities –
from all countries – who fought, suffered and
died during the D-Day landings and six years of war.
Let us all remember those in the Royal Navy,
Army, Royal Air Force, Merchant Navy, and our
Allies – the brave people who kept us safe on
the home front and abroad and those in
reserved occupations during the difficult time of war.
Let us remember the brave doctors and nurses who
cared for the wounded, the men and women who
toiled in the fields, the coal mines, the factories
and the air raid wardens, police officers, firemen,
ambulance drivers and the young people of the Scouts
and Guides who all played such a vital role in the war
It was fitting that the beacon was lit by Graham Sampson and his grandson, Army cadet, Charles Sampson. Graham Sampson built the original beacon in 1999 for the millennium and was involved with installing the refurbished beacon.
A proportion of monies raised from each ticket sold has been donated to: The Royal Naval Association, ABF The Soldiers Charity, RAF Benevolent Fund, The Merchant Navy Association & The Normandy Memorial Trust
A special thank you to:
Filling & moving sandbags, tables & chairs – Tony Hayes
Producing vintage signs – Richard Williams
Ringing the Bells – James Bailey
Church Marshalls & Cleaning Team – Clerk Brenda Lomas and Cllr Georgina Bailey
Beacon Marshalls – Mark Bullock & Graham and Charles Sampson
Parking Marshalls – Cllr Jon Burwood, Harry Williams and Thomas Bailey
Church Lighting effects – Jonathan Heywood, Lightech
Clear up – John Williams, Cllr Jon Burwood, Tony Hayes, Mark & Sue Bullock
Parking – Malcolm & Sheila Kidd
Church Flowers – St Michaels PCC, Yvonne Brown & Shirley Tudor Edwards
Church Facilities – Marilyn Ainslie & Rev Colin Wilson
Daintry Hall Facilities – Field and Electrics – Lynn Petts & Tony Hayes