Bury St Edmunds beacon lighting ceremony for 80th anniversary of D-Day draws crowds

As the sky darkened, the beacon at Bury St Edmunds’ Abbey Gardens was lit to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day yesterday.

Commemorative events took place in the UK, France and beyond to honour the bravery and sacrifice of the Allied forces who fought in Normandy, in northern France, on June 6, 1944.

In Bury St Edmunds, there was a service in St Edmundsbury Cathedral at 5.30pm followed by the lighting of the beacon, in the Abbey Gardens, at 9.15pm.

The event in the gardens, which are managed by West Suffolk Council, was ‘very well attended’, a spokesperson said.

As well as the beacon lighting itself, there was music from the Glenmoriston Pipe Band Piper and the Swing Sisters.

Cllr Pat Hanlon, chair of West Suffolk Council, said by lighting the beacon on the 80th anniversary of D-Day, they would be remembering ‘the courage, dedication and sacrifice of those who served during this pivotal moment in history’.

All were invited to commemorate those ‘whose sacrifice enables us all to enjoy the peace and freedom we have today’.