A ceremony outside Rye Town Hall remembered the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings at lunchtime on Thursday June 6.
Beginning with the Ryebellion Drummers and finishing with the national anthem, there were prayers, speeches and songs, as Rye marked the day Allied troops landed in Northern France. Watch the video of the ceremony filmed by Martin and KT Bruce.
The Winchelsea Millennium Artefacts Society organised an exhibition of documents, photographs and biographies to commemorate the anniversary. It marked the area’s contribution to the war effort and honoured men and women from Winchelsea who played an important role. One of those highlighted, was Henry Dormer, Mayor of Winchelsea from 1995 to 1997, who was awarded the Legion d’Honneur for his involvement in the liberation of France. His medal was proudly displayed by his wife Sue.
After a reception in the New Hall, there was a procession to the town’s beacon where the Mayor, Peter Cosstick read the official poem, ‘The International Tribute’ and Rev Jonathan Meyer said a prayer.
To the sound of a piper, David Merryfield and Neil Eastell lit the Winchelsea Beacon. On a beautiful bright evening, it was a dignified and moving ceremony.
In Rye, the beacon was lit by Mayor Andy Stuart. He paid tribute to those who fought on D-Day in a short speech before lighting the beacon, which had been prepared by the Rye Bonfire Society.
From the beacon on Udimore Road, a small crowd watched as other towns lit their own D-Day beacons, including Winchelsea and Icklesham nearby, and Lydd, New Romney and Lympne in the far distance.
Image Credits: Jeremy Moss , Natasha Robinson .