ABOUT US

On behalf the committee, it’s my honour to present four days of events to commemorate the bravery and sacrifices of the men and women who took part in D-Day on the 6th of June 1944. This historical operation had a pivotal impact on the outcome of the war and the freedom we enjoy today. The events in Wrea Green are part of the wider 80th anniversary commemorative events taking place in the UK and worldwide.Our small committee formed in September 2023 and we have worked hard to put together a wide range of activities to help commemorate, educate and appropriately celebrate the heroic actions of our forebears. As chair, I would like to personally thank the committee who have volunteered their time, talents and resources so generously to make this happen.We hope that you take part in as many of the activities over the four days as possible. There are several competitions for both children and adults to take part in. Have a go as it’s free and fun to enter with prizes for the winners.

On Thursday 6 June, we officially open at 6pm with refreshments available in the tipi on the Green - Oliver’s Chippy will be on hand as part of National Fish and Chip Day. A commemorative service starting at 8:40pm will include a bonfire beacon kindly donated by Wareings and be lit by a local veteran. The community are invited to decorate the beacon in the afternoon with their name and handprint as an act of respect and remembrance.

Friday will be a family-friendly quiz night – doors open at 6pm. Saturday 8 June is our 1940s day – there will be a range of competitions, entertainment (professional and local groups), VIPs in attendance, market stalls, food and drink stalls, vintage transport, children’s crafts and much, much more. It culminates in an Evening Charity Dinner starting at 7pm.

Sunday 9 June is Community Fun Day starting with a church service at 9:30am followed by a vintage entertainer, afternoon tea, BBQ and picnic. You are encouraged to bring your picnic gear and enjoy the day as a community. We will have take away afternoon tea's available to purchase that be bought here, supplied by Dizzy Ducks.

Our two chosen charities are the Royal British Legion and SSAFA (The Armed Forces Charity). Both will be represented throughout the weekend – do stop by their stalls to learn more about the important work they do. At the end of the events any proceeds will be donated to the two charities. If you would like to make a donation, you can find details in the programme.

 

Special thanks to the Ribby with Wrea Parish Council, Clerk of the Council David Kirkham and Chair Nigel Craine, the Fylde Borough Council Tourism Team, Cllr. Alf Clempson – Armed Forces Champion for Lancashire County Council, Fylde Borough Councillor Frank Andrews, the Edith Mary Clark Foundation, Dizzy Ducks, The Wrea Green Institute, Wareings, Ribby with Wrea Women’s Institute (Jennifer Gleave, President), St. Nicholas C of E Church (Rev. P. Chew), Ribby with Wrea Endowed C of E Primary School (Mrs. Sarah Robson, Headteacher) and our sponsors Holden and Lee, Arthrovite Ltd., Clifton Homecare, Your Essential Shop and Style Machine Tools Limited. Thank you to everyone who has helped make these events possible. A full list of acknowledgements are included later in the programme.

 

Most importantly, thank you to the service men and women who sacrificed so much up to and after D-Day to bring World War II to an end in 1945. And of course, others who continue to sacrifice so much to this day – without them we would not know the true meaning of freedom. Let us never forget.