Commemorations across Ryedale to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day

In Terrington, a series of events were co-ordinated by the Village Hall committee.

At 11am, at the War Memorial in Terrington Churchyard, a commemorative service led by Reverend Douglas Robertson took place attended by villagers, school children and staff from Terrington Primary and Terrington Hall schools. The children read poems they had written themselves about war and the primary school children had drawn pictures which were used as part of a D Day display at the village hall. Wreaths were laid and Lest We Forget poppy seeds were distributed as an act of remembrance. The Last Post was played by a member of staff and two pupils from Terrington Hall school.

At 6.30pm the bells of All Saints Church rang out for peace.

Over 300 people, many of whom were wearing wartime dress, visited the village hall in the evening to enjoy a fish and chip supper and drinks from the pop-up pub were served. Beers named “Normandy Pale Ale” and “Don’t tell him Pike” proved very popular.

A D Day Exhibition in the main hall with local World War Two history documented how the war had come closer to home when bombs were dropped nearby and a Lancaster bomber crashed at Wiganthorpe on 6th November 1943. There was a land army girls camp in the village between 1943 and 1946 and a prisoner of war camp. Terrington home guard trained at the back of the walled garden of Terrington Hall School where the sports field is now and guard duty was at the top of the village ,where there was a tin hut at which they used to stand guard.

Five military trucks from that era were kindly provided by local enthusiast Angus Drury and were displayed on the Village Hall playing field.

The village's attention then turned to national events at 9.15pm when a beacon was lit as a ‘Light of Peace’ and a reading of The International Tribute.

There was a collection in aid of the veterans’ charity “Combat Stress” which raised £378.

A spokesperson from the village hall said: “Almost all of us in modern Britain have a connection to someone who served during the second world war, through either family or community heritage.80 years on Terrington Village came together in remembering the service and sacrifice of all those who fought for the freedom we enjoy today.”

In Pickering a Beacon Lighting Ceremony was held.

The Royal British Legion opened the event and Johnny Hodgson lit the beacon at 9.15pm, the Town Mayor Councillor Emma Steadman read the official tribute, and Stape Silver Band provided musical entertainment.

Helmsley also marked the anniversary with a day of commemoration.

A spokesperson for Helmsley Town Council said: "Thank you to everyone who came along to the D-Day commemoration. Also thanks to those who helped make the day - volunteers at Helmsley Library for the interesting display about wartime Helmsley life, Helmsley Town Hall for their help with arrangements and for the display of the Flag for Peace, David Hinde, Helmsley Town Crier, for the Cry for Peace and finally the bellringers of Helmsley Parish Church who closed the afternoon with the Ring Out for Peace."