A DAY of events was held in Barnard Castle to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
Activities began early with the laying of a commemorative wreath at the war memorial in The Bowes Museum grounds, before town crier Ian Kirkbride made the first proclamation at 8am in the town centre.
Events switched to Scar Top later in the morning when the town crier was joined by members of Barnard Castle School’s Combined Cadet Force for the reading of a second proclamation.
Also present were Patricia Chape, Betty Woodley and Brenda Wearmouth, from King’s Court Care Home.
Mrs Chape was a small child and recalled her father going off to serve in India.
“I remember him coming back. He looked quite different after being in a hot country,” she said.
Residents at the care home also lit their own D-Day commemorative beacon, enjoyed a singer performing songs from the era, a wartime quiz and a Spam dinner.
Back on Scar Top, members of the Army Field Kitchen, who had previously visited in Barney’s 1940s weekends prior to covid, cooked up a beef stew as part of a demonstration into how food was prepared in the field.
After the ringing of church bells and music from the 1940s on Scar Top, the day concluded as lamps of peace were lit and the tribute led by town mayor Cllr Paul Ing, followed by a piper’s lament.
