Published on 16 May 2024
This year the UK will commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day with a series of major events in this country and in France.
In the Moorlands, the District Council has created a £20,000 fund to help local communities mark this historic anniversary with their own local events and activities.
Grants of £1,000 are available to town councils in Biddulph, Cheadle and Leek with £435 available for each of the remaining councils.
Councillor Bill Cawley, Cabinet member for Communities, said: "D-Day was a pivotal event involving unprecedented coordination between the Allies which paved the way to the eventual liberation of much of western Europe.
"It has a special significance for me and my family as my father, also called Bill Cawley, landed on Gold Beach on D-Day plus one with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment.
"Like countless others, I will never forget the sacrifice and service of everyone involved in that event, and all conflicts. People across the UK and France will be coming together in their communities to remember and give thanks for the fortitude and resilience of the D-Day veterans.
"We at the Council are supporting people to do that by making funding available to help our communities show their appreciation and gratitude. So if you are organising something in your area, please take a look at the website and apply."
Find out more and apply via the Council's website.
National events to mark the anniversary include:
- An event in Portsmouth on 5 June which will be broadcast live for those unable to attend
- A Remembrance Service hosted by the Royal British Legion in the grounds of the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire on 6 June
- The Legacies of D-Day exhibition to honour the service and sacrifice of the D-Day veterans will also be on display at the National Memorial Arboretum from 6 June
Locally, a series of events starts this weekend to mark the 80th anniversary of the battle of Monte Cassino and to tell the fascinating story of Leek's Polish community.
The Leek Polish Connection exhibition opens at the Nicholson Museum and Art Gallery on Saturday (18 May) telling the story of the Polish soldiers and their families whose journey took them from the labour camps of Siberia, through the middle East to fight in Italy, and finally settle in Leek. This free exhibition runs until 8 June.
Other events planned include a poppies installation at Den Engel courtyard archway; a 1940's extravaganza the Foxlowe on 18 May featuring traditional Polish craft activities and a performance the traditional Polish dance group Polonez - bring your dancing shoes and you can join in!
The Fowlowe is also hosting a special screening of EO - a mesmerising vision of modern Europe seen through the melancholic eyes and curious spirit of a grey donkey - on Tuesday 28 May.
These events have been organised by community group The Leek Polish Connection working with OUTSIDE and Borderland Voices and with the involvement of Councillor Cawley who said:
"Leek has strong Polish connections which we wanted to celebrate in this big year for anniversaries. I'd like to thank the community group and the teams at OUTSIDE and Borderland Voices for the work they have done to bring these projects together.
"We're looking forward to unveiling them from this weekend and I hope all those who come to view them and take part will take time to reflect on the impact of war on communities as well as celebrating the new connections and friendships that can result from conflict."
