How Bury St Edmunds care homes Davers Court and Glastonbury Court will mark 80th anniversary of D-Day

Care homes in Bury St Edmunds will be opening their doors to the community to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

Davers Court in Shakers Lane and Glastonbury Court in Glastonbury Road are hosting a lamp lighting ceremony on Thursday, June 6.

The lamp, which represents the peace that followed the end of World War Two, will be lit at Glastonbury Court at 5pm by resident Peter Donnington who served in Singapore for the RAF.

Peter said: “I feel proud to have this honour of lighting the lantern for world peace.”

At Davers Court, the lamp will be lit at 4:30pm, by resident Richard Hoad, 87, who served in the RAF and was a guard of honour.

Richard said: “It will be a great honour to light the lamp and will remind me of all the times I performed my duties as a guard of honour.”

Glastonbury Court will also be hosting a 1940s-themed party for residents and guests which includes an afternoon tea and fund-raising raffle for Help for Heroes.

RAF veteran Peter Copping, 85, will also present the D-Day Coin to residents Ernest Osbourne, 92, Tom Shipley, 97, Ken Dunn, 94 and Peter Dorrington, 89, who all served in the RAF and Army for national service.

Meanwhile, Davers Court is hosting a garden party with vintage singers Barrie and Pete and will be serving quiche, sandwiches, scones as well as Pimm’s.

Both events will take place from 11am to 3pm to mark eight decades since the Normandy Landings in 1944.

Elsewhere in town, a service will also take place at St Edmundsbury Cathedral which will see the lighting of the beacon in the Abbey Gardens.

Ana Mihai, home manager at Glastonbury Court, said: “We’re always grateful for an opportunity to strengthen our relationships with our neighbours, so we’re looking forward to welcoming the community for a special event.

“This is an incredibly important milestone for many residents, and we’re keen to honour all those involved.”

Sophie Evans, home manager at Davers Court, added: “We’re passionate about playing an active role in our community, so we’re delighted to be joining a nationwide initiative by opening our doors to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

“Reminiscence activities are a great way for older people, and those living with dementia, to connect with those around them and help maintain a sense of identity, and in the run up to the day, residents have been sharing their own stories and memories – it’s been fantastic to hear everyone’s experiences and learn from one another.”