D-Day Commemorations - here's what's on in Stockton-on-Tees

Events to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Normandy Landings will take place in Stockton-on-Tees next Thursday, 6 June.

A series of beacons will be lit across the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories on Thursday to recognise the sacrifices made by thousands of people and celebrate the years of peace resulting from their tremendous efforts.

And as part of the commemorations, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council will be holding a Civic Beacon ceremony in Parish Gardens, Stockton, hosted by the Mayor of Stockton-on-Tees, Councillor John Gardner.

The Mayor said: "Nearly six years of war across Europe came to an end 80 years ago. Those events had a huge impact on our lives today so it's important that we continue to reflect on D-Day and commemorate this significant anniversary. We have a range of activities and events taking place next Wednesday 5 June and Thursday 6 June and hope you can join us for the poignant beacon lighting ceremony on Thursday evening."

As well as the beacon lighting ceremony, the Borough's libraries will have an array of fascinating wartime artifacts, information and magazines on display, plus a World War 2 themed quiz.

Here's what's on:

D-Day 80: World War 2 quiz
Wednesday, 5 June, Stockton Central Library
11am to 12noon

Thursday 6 June, Norton Library
2pm to 3pm

Test your knowledge on the Normandy Landings and join us to commemorate the largest sea borne invasion in history. The quiz events are free, but booking is essential.

For more information, please contact Stockton Central Library on 01642 526517, Norton Library on 01642 528019, or book online at www.stockton.gov.uk/book-library-event.

D-Day 80: World War Two wartime recipe swap
Wednesday, 5 June, Ingleby Barwick Library
1:30 PM to 2:30pm

Friday, 7 June, Billingham Library
11am to 1pm

Wartime recipe swap with wartime biscuit tasting. Bring along any recipes you wish to share (they don't have to be wartime). Swap recipes with others and take away a recipe to try at home. Entry is free and no booking required. For more information contact Ingleby Barwick Library on 01642 528528 or Billingham Library on 01642 528084.

D-Day 80: World War Two memorabilia trail
Thursday, 6 June, Yarm Library
10.30am to 12pm

Join us in Yarm Library garden for a trip down memory lane to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D- Day landings. There will be a host of items for you to look at from our reminiscence collection which will generate discussion and a chance for remembrance to mark this historic event. This is a free, drop in event.

D-Day 80: Library exhibition
Thursday 6 June
12noon - 4pm, Thornaby Central Library

Drop into this free exhibition and learn more about D-Day through photographs, newspaper articles and a film projection. Visitors are welcome to bring along their own photographs and memorabilia to share too.

Beacon Lighting Ceremony
Thursday, 6 June
7.40pm to 8.40pm, Stockton Central Library 

Head to Stockton Central Library ahead of the lighting ceremony where Preston Park Museum and Grounds will display local war history information, alongside World War II objects from their collection. Also on display will be 'The War Illustrated' magazines, a collection recently acquired by Stockton Reference Library.

8.45pm to 9.25pm, Parish Gardens, Stockton (the beacon will be lit at 9.15pm)

The commemorative D-Day service will start at 8.45pm in Parish Gardens where the Mayor and Deputy Lord Lieutenants of County Durham and North Yorkshire will pay tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of those who served.

Following a performance from female choir, Rhapsody, the event concludes with the lighting of a Beacon in Parish Gardens at 9.15pm to symbolise peace and light after the darkness of the war.

Parking will be available at Bishop Street car park and High Street North car park.

There are other commemorative events taking place across the Borough too:

Billingham

D-Day Beacon Ceremony
Thursday, 6 June
8pm - 9.30pm, John Whitehead Park

Billingham Town Council's event begins at 8pm with music from Billingham Silver Band next to Café in the Park. At 9pm the Royal British Legion (Billingham Branch) will parade from the entrance of Finchale Avenue to the centre of the park and the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Durham will light the beacon in the main field at 9:15pm.

Thornaby

D-Day Beacon Ceremony
Thursday, 6 June
11am to 9pm

Thornaby Town Council is holding a morning service at Thornaby Cenotaph from 11am. The lighting of the beacon will take place at 9.15pm outside Thornaby Town Hall.

Long Newton

D-Day Beacon Ceremony
Thursday, 6 June
7.15pm to 10.45pm, Manor Gate Green

Long Newton Town Council is hosting a beacon lighting ceremony at Manor Gate Green.

Stockton

Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance
Saturday, 15 June
6.30pm, Stockton Globe

Join The Royal British Legion community for an evening of celebration and reflection at the Globe. All proceeds raised will go to The Poppy Appeal to support veterans and the veteran community. Tickets from £8 from the Globe. Visit the Stockton Globe Festival of Remebrance webpage for full details and tickets.

For more information about the Borough's D-Day commemoration events visit the Tees Valley D-Day events webpage.

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