ANGER has erupted over why some beacons were not lit on the Malvern Hills to mark the sacrifices made during D-Day - although other commemorations have taken place.
After Worcester's beacon was lit in Fort Royal Park to commemorate D-Day, some asked why Malvern did not have a beacon lit to mark the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings which happened on June 6, 1944.
Operation Overlord, the seaborne invasion helped secure victory for the Allies in World War Two, began the liberation of France and turned the tide of battle against the Nazis.
The beacons at Malvern and Broadway Tower were understood to have been lit during the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022.
Discussions took place on Malvern Hills Notice Board, as one reader asked: "Why were there no beacons lit on the hills for D-Day commemoration?"
One person replied: "Because some people have got over it and moved on."
RECOMMENDED READING: Worcester Fort Royal Park D-Day remembrance beacon lighting
RECOMMENDED READING: Hole opens up in Worcester's medieval Powick Old Bridge
The original person who shared the post said: "I was interested that Malvern has a long history of beacon lighting yet nothing for yesterday wondering what was the reason."
There were also reports that the beacon at Broadway Tower (Wychavon) had not been lit.
However, Malvern Town Council organised a service yesterday (Thursday) morning at 6.30am in the Library grounds in front of the Memorial.
The Reverend Rod Corke, Great Malvern Priory, officiated and read two poems written by a member of the Navy about the D-Day Landings.
The Mayor of Malvern, Marylin Birks, said: "Most important to the event were members of the Malvern Hills Veterans Club who worked closely with Town Council staff to organise this remembrance event.
"One of their members read out the statistics about the number of landing crafts and boats that set off and the numbers of men and nationalities involved and those subsequently killed and wounded.
"The Veterans wanted to hold the ceremony early in the morning as a remembrance of the early landings on the Normandy beaches.
"I was privileged to be a part of this significant event and thank Malvern Town Council staff for organising it. We were also pleased to welcome at our early morning service, the Chairman and Vice Chairman of Malvern Hills District Council along with the MHDC Council's Deputy Leader.
"My understanding is that on previous occasions when the Beacon has been lit, it has been organised by the county council. Any event held on the Hills would need the permission of the Malvern Hills Trust."
A spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council said: “The D-Day 80 national campaign called upon villages, towns and cities to light a beacon as a symbolic commemoration.
"Any organisation is able to, with the correct permissions and process followed, light a beacon and as such 11 local locations in Worcestershire were officially registered to undertake public beacon lighting events.
"These local locations included Kempsey and Hallow in Malvern Hills District, Honeybourne and Droitwich in Wychavon District and Fort Royal in Worcester which was attended by our Chairman, Councillor Tracey Onslow.
"Prior to the D-Day anniversary itself, a notice of motion was unanimously supported at our last full council meeting which allowed councillors to pay tribute to those involved in the D-Day landings, but also provided an opportunity to profile these local events happening across the county.”
We had no official response from Malvern Hills District Council by the time we went to press.
Jennifer Taylor, Director of Communities and Housing for Wychavon District Council, said: “There is a long-standing agreement, rooted in Wychavon’s foundation in 1974, that we won’t organise Wychavon events for important national moments or commemorative occasions, so we don’t compete with our towns and parishes who rightly wish to mark such occasions within their local communities.
"If asked to, we will work with town and parish councils to support those events where we can add value. The only exception to this will be where protocol/legislation requires us to organise the event (such as the proclamation of a new monarch) or significant resources are needed to support the event (such as The Queen’s Baton Relay for the Commonwealth Games).
“Several towns and parishes across the district did hold D-Day commemoration events and I am sure local district councillors will have supported those.
“We will be holding our usual flag-raising ceremony in the build up to Armed Forces Day later this month, where there will be the opportunity to reflect on the bravery and service of those who took part in D-Day, as well as the other significant anniversaries that are taking place this year, including the 80th anniversary of the end of the Battle of Kohima, Imphal, Operation Market Garden and the Battle of the Scheldt.
“We will also be renewing our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, which sets out how we will support members of the Armed Forces, veterans and their families to ensure their service to their country does not leave them disadvantaged.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel