Farnham Town Council has announced details of a special community event happening on Thursday 6 June to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

The significant occasion will be marked by a day of remembrance, reflection and thanks for the brave soldiers that fought in one of the most pivotal battles of World War II.

At 8am, Farnham Town Crier will read the D-Day 80 proclamation in Castle Street. This will be followed at 10.45am by a schools’ commemoration at the war memorial in Gostrey Meadow.

From 7.30-9.30pm there will be a beacon lighting event at Gostrey Meadow. The programme includes music by a vintage/40s vocalist Jen Merchant, and Farnham Brass Band. Prior to the lighting of the beacon, at 9.15pm, there will be a BBC Radio broadcast, a guard of honour, a performance of Shores of Normandy and the reading of an international tribute by Brigadier Paul Evans OBE DL.

The D-Day landings of 6 June 1944 were the largest seaborne invasion in history and marked the beginning of the liberation of France and western Europe.

The Mayor of Farnham, Councillor Brodie Mauluka says: “By holding this community event, we want to give people the opportunity to come together and join us in commemorating D-Day 80 and to remember any family friends or relatives who may have been connected with the landings.”

Refreshments will be available from the charity tea tent throughout the beacon lighting event.