All you need to know about plans to commemorate D-Day 80 in Weymouth
Ahead of Weymouth Town Council’s main programme of D-Day 80 commemorations on Thursday 6th June, here’s all you need to know about what’s happening on the day.
The Nothe Fort
From 4pm until after the beacon lighting at 9.15pm, The Nothe Fort will be welcoming visitors who have secured free tickets for the performances and exhibition on display at this historic venue. A traffic management plan will regulate vehicle access to and from the fort, with stewards available for assistance.
Attendees are encouraged, where possible, to walk to the event through Nothe Gardens, where they can enjoy other free activities on the day. For parking, the nearest available car parks are North Quay (free after 6pm) and Newbury Gardens Car Park. Parking at the Nothe is extremely limited, with priority given to those with accessibility needs. Please consider walking or cycling.
If you haven’t got a free ticket for The Nothe Fort commemorative events there is still time to book one from their online booking system.
Nothe Gardens
Outdoor big screen broadcasting national coverage and historical footage relevant to the era between 3pm and 9pm, including “The Longest Day,” a film which tells the story of the days leading up to D-Day.
Display of military vehicles and a celebration of National Fish and Chip Day with local company Bennetts serving up this seaside classic from a van between 4pm and 8pm.
Walks to explore
Weymouth Museum has created two walking routes one for Portland and one for Weymouth, specific to D-Day. Walk through the streets and follow in the footsteps of workers from the local brewery, and servicemen making their way to the harbourside for embarkation to France back in 1944. Download the leaflets here.
Unfortunately, the free Coastline Cruises boat trips between Weymouth Harbour and Castletown, Portland are now fully booked.
Weymouth promenade
Along the promenade, the town’s iconic Jubilee Clock will be lit red, white, and blue from June 3rd to commemorate D-Day 80. Weymouth’s Salvation Army band perform a pre-D-Day 80 concert on Tuesday 4th June at 7pm on the promenade near the US Memorial.
Visit D-Day 80th Anniversary Commemorations – Weymouth Town Council | Weymouth Town Council to view the full timetable of events happening in Weymouth, Portland, and Dorchester.
Mayor of Weymouth, Cllr Jon Orrell, said: “Weymouth Town Council is extremely honoured to be putting on all these events to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Weymouth played such a vital role in the historic Normandy landings and remembering the efforts of the allied and US troops 80 years’ later is so important, as this operation changed the course of history.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
The latest information and updates about the ongoing construction works will be shared by Weymouth Town Council’s website, Facebook, and X pages.