Gosport youngsters to take key roles in D-Day 80 commemoration

Gosport's D-Day 80 commemorations will have a strong focus on involving young people with a view to passing the significance of the anniversary to the next generation.

Young people will play key roles in the borough's civic event on Sunday 9 June, with the Royal Marine Volunteer Cadet Band leading a parade while pupils from St John's School will provide a choir and give a reading.

Admiral Sir Philip Jones will be the guest of honour representing the Lord-Lieutenant at the parade, which will include an unarmed guard courtesy of HMS Sultan, starting at 10.20am and travel along Priory Road, from the junction with Quay Lane. It will proceed to the foreshore at Hardway, alongside Hardway Sailing Club, where a service will take place led by Revd Emma McPhail.

Road closures will be in place on Priory Road throughout the morning of Sunday 9 June, and the Hardway Slipway car park will close on the afternoon of Saturday 8 June and reopen after the service on 9 June.

Mayor of Gosport Cllr Richard Earle said:

"With fewer D-Day veterans still with us it becomes increasingly important that the next generation are aware of the importance of what they did and I'm delighted local young people will be playing a big part in our ceremony. I hope residents will come and join us in remembering those who fought so bravely for the freedom we enjoy today."

Gosport will also take part in the national beacon lighting on 6 June at 9.15pm, in celebration of the 'light of peace' that came out of the darkness of the war. The beacon will be sited adjacent to the slipway opposite Stokes Bay Sailing Club. The Mayor will light the beacon, as the National Tribute is read by Mrs Arabella Birdwood DL, representing the Lord-Lieutenant.

The order of the service for the parade can be downloaded below.

D Day 80 Order of Service (PDF) [839KB]