D-Day commemorations planned across Newbury and West Berkshire
Towns and villages across the district will be marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
The Normandy landings launched on June 6, 1944, and marked the start of Operation Overlord, the Allied operation to liberate West Europe from Nazi occupation.
Thousands of lives on both sides were lost. But the operation was a success.
And now the people of West Berkshire and North Hampshire will remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice so they could have their freedom.
Find many of the main planned commemorative events below:
Newbury
From 10am on June 8, Parkway Shopping centre will have performances by the Defence Academy Military Wives Choir, Noelle Vaughn as well as vintage vehicles on display.
Greenham
Greenham Control Tower is organising events, in collaboration with Newbury Town Council.
There will be by a flypast by an original RAF Lancaster Bomber — one of just two bombers still operational.
The aircraft will fly over Greenham Common at 11.44am on June 6, just as the memorial service, which starts at 11am, ends.
For the last three years of the Second World War, the Lancaster was the main heavy bomber used by Bomber Command to breach the heartland of Nazi Germany. The average age of crew members in these bombers was just 22 years old.
Greenham Parish Council and Newbury Town Council will also be carrying out a lighting of the Tower and Beacon Lighting event at 9.15pm at the control tower.
Entertainment will be starting from 6pm, featuring a dance floor, fish and chips and liquid refreshment, which will continue after the Tower Lighting.
Thatcham
Thatcham Town Council (TTC) will be supporting two commemorative events on Thursday, June 6.
At 11am, the Royal British Legion, Thatcham branch will conduct an act of commemoration at Thatcham Memorial Gardens, in Brownsfield Road.
All attendees will be invited to the Town Council Chamber following the service, where refreshments will be served.
TTC is providing a free courtesy shuttle bus, run by Newbury & District Buses, transporting members of the public who wish to attend the Greenham Control Tower evening commemorations.
The buses will leave from Thatcham Broadway, outside Morrisons, at 7.15pm and 7.45pm, and at Thatcham Football Club at 7.30pm and 8pm.
Return journeys will leave the control tower at 9.45pm and 10.15pm.
Email enquiries@thatchamtowncouncil.gov.uk to guarantee a space on the bus.
Pangbourne
The Pangbourne Heritage Group plans to honour the memory of the young soldiers from many countries who trained in bridge building on Pangbourne River Meadow.
For full details of opening hours, contact the library on (0118) 984 4117.
Hungerford
Hungerford’s weekend of commemoration will include parades, a display, history talks and the unveiling of a commemorative stone on Hungerford Common.
The event is raising funds for the Royal British Legion Riders Branch Poppy Appeal and local charities.
Hampshire
As part of Armed Forces Weekend, on Saturday, June 29, a convoy of around 80 classic military vehicles and motorcycle outriders from the Royal British Legion Riders Branch and Royal Air Forces Association will be departing from Milestones Museum, Basingstoke, from 10am.
The convoy will be traveling through Kingsclere, Greenham Business Park and Newbury town centre and into the A4, arriving at the decorated show site at Triangle Field in Hungerford by 12.30pm.
Morning events include speeches from the mayor of Basingstoke and the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, with a bugler and veterans waving off the convoy.
