Hungerford Town Council welcomed hundreds of visitors to join in its special D-Day 80th anniversary commemoration and celebration 28 to 30 June (see photo gallery below).
The D-Day planning committee were supported by various layers of volunteers, groups and sponsors to deliver the momentous three day event which, in conjunction with Commemorative Convoys raised money for Royal British Legion.
“I am completely overwhelmed at what Hungerford has achieved by pulling off this incredible weekend of commemoration,” the Town’s Mayor, Helen Simpson, said after the event. “Councillor Jerry Keates, led the volunteer team and project, which has been a year in the planning. The team included Jerry, myself, Town Clerk Claire Barnes, Councillor David Reeves, Derek Loft, Neale Marney, Kate Edwards, Fiona Hobson, Susan Mayes, Nicola Wood, Simon Hobden, Councillor Keith Carlson and District Councillor Denise Gaines. I could not have been prouder.”
“Formal thanks to all our sponsors will follow from the team and HTC when we’ve found our feet again and reflected. I know we have made an enormous amount of money for the Royal British Legion Veterans (Hungerford Branch); I can’t wait to share all the news in due course.
“Thank you to all the residents and visitors who came out to enjoy and support this event.”
“It was a whole-hearted success of which all of Hungerford and surrounding area should be thoroughly proud,” Hungerford Town Councillor Jerry Keates told us. “Hungerford is a wonderful place to live and will continue to deliver while the residents do the amazing volunteer work. Thanks to all the people who make Hungerford such a wonderful place to live.”
The weekend had three main ambitions, he explained – “commemoration, celebration and education”. He felt sure that all been achieved. He added that the events also raised a large (and to-be-confirmed) sum for the Hungerford Royal British Legion.
The commemorative stone and plaque that has been erected in Hungerford Common in memory of Hungerford’s contribution to the D-Day is located near the site where Eisenhower briefed 18,000 American troops on 10 August 1944. Please visit the stone but don’t leave any wreaths there (due to the cows) but take them to the War Memorial in town instead.
D-Day Weekend photo gallery
Thanks to contributors of this photo gallery including Forbes Stevenson, Jerry Keates, Sarah Chatters, Fiona Hobson and Matthew Sample. Please click on images to view full size.
Friday 28 June 2024
7.30pm: 1940s Swing Dance with IJO Big Band, Hungerford Town Hall and Corn Exchange. Doors open 7pm. Please dress for the occasion!
Tickets £20 available via Ticket Source or from Crown Needlework Shop on Hungerford High Street opposite the Town Hall.
Bar in Magistrates room provided by The Borough Pub – Sylvi and her team. The use of the venue kindly gifted by Hungerford Town & Manor for the full weekend of events.
Saturday 29 June 2024
9am to 2pm: Historical talks, Hungerford Town Hall (upstairs):
Hungerford Historical Association, Glider Factory, Bletchley Park, Bedwyn Bunker Association, Pegasus Bridge and more.
9.00am: Hungerford – Leading up to D-Day. Setting the Scene by Dr Hugh Pihlens.
9.30am: Swindon military vehicles static display near Hungerford Arcade.
10am to 4pm: WW2 exhibits, displays and café, Hungerford Town Hall (downstairs):
1940s Wartime Café, ration card trail, wartime toys interactive display, childrens crafts, food rationing displays, Then and Now, displays and pictures.
11.45am: Armed Forces Day Civic Parade leaves HTFC for route to High Street via Priory Road.
Noon: Parade halts in front of the Town Hall on access road.
12.15pm: Commemorative convoy arrives at town boundary ASDA roundabout en route to Triangle Field via the High Street.
12.16pm: Eyes Left to the fallen at Bridge Street war memorial.
12.18pm: Convoy to pass Dias on Hight Street and salute acknowledged by Sir General Mike Jackson.
12.23pm: Convoy arrives at Triangle Field.
1pm: Two Royal Air Force BBMF Spitfires fly-over, Hungerford town centre and Triangle Field (suspended due to recent tragic incident).
2pm to 3pm: Military Wives Choir, Town Hall steps.
5.30pm: Parade for commemorative stone-laying on the Common forms up at Town Hall.
5.45pm: Parade sets off from Town Hall.
6pm: Commemorative stone-laying service, Hungerford Common.
6.30pm: Tiger Moth to overfly Stone-laying area – weather and serviceability permitting.
6.30 to 7.30pm: Pipe band, outside Downgate Pub.
For the rest of the evening, the town will be open as usual but with a flavour of the 1940s. Highlights include:
- The Bear Hotel – Evening with 1940s singer Stephanie Bell.
- The Plume – The Newbury Ukulele Band sing-along plus wartime medleys with Vanessa Evans.
- The Borough Arms – Singer Shaun Blake.
- Hungerford Rugby Club – Bar open and food being served.
Sunday 30 June 2024
10am to 4pm: Military-themed Show Ground Event, Triangle Field.
Static displays including: military vehicles, age-appropriate vintage cars, displays of equipment and armament, Swindon historic military vehicles, Wilcot classic car club. 1/6th tanks, assault course, local vendors’ stalls, traditional NAFFI, commemorative associations and sponsors, military re-enactors US 101st and British Army, steam traction engines, Home Guard display and rifle drills, RBL motorcycles, Royal Air Force Battle of Britain memorial flight Lancaster flypast.
- 10am: Hungerford Town Band.
- 11am: Stephanie Bell ,1940s singer.
- 1pm: Royal Air Force Battle of Britian Memorial Flight Lancaster fly-past (suspended due to recent tragic incident).
- 2:30pm: Presentation of Union Flag to Air Commodore.
- 3pm: Stephanie Bell, 1940s singer.
- 4pm: Event ends.
Monday 1 July
Volunteers requested to help Smarten Up Hungerford team clear up after the weekend’s events.
Travel
Hungerford is served by several bus routes while the town’s railway station has connections to the west, Newbury, Reading and London Paddington.
If you are driving, Hungerford has several public car parks (charges and restrictions may apply). Additionally the town has arranged additional free car parking for the weekend. These car parks are marked in the map at the foot of the article. Please note, like all of the town’s car parks, these are to be used at your own risk.
This weekend was kindly sponsored by:
