6th June: D-Day 80

It has been the 80th anniversary of D-Day and, given the major contribution made to D-Day preparations by the Beaulieu, Exbury,  and Lepe area, it is not surprising that a number of events took place.

On the actual D-Day, 6th June, I ended up doing an emergency shift at NCI Calshot Tower to ensure it kept open after a watchkeeper had cancelled due to illness.  That evening NCI had been invited to take part in a ceremony starting at the ruins of Holyrood Church in Southampton are dedicated as a memorial to the sailors of the Merchant Navy; unfortunately we could not assemble a contingent.  However in recognition, NCI Stone Point flew the Red Duster during the day instead of the Union Flag.

On the evening of the 6th there was a coordinated Beacon Lighting in the UK and Europe.  NCI Stone Point was kept open late, which allowed connection to the mains power, and allowed some of the VIP’s at the Beacon Lighting to visit. This included Aldred Drummond who had read the Remembrance Address;  he is the owner of Cadland Estate which includes Lepe Country Park.