City Hall to be lit in red, white and blue for D-Day anniversary

The city hall will be lit up in red, white and blue

Bradford City Hall is to be lit up in red, white and blue on Thursday 6 June as part of events across the district to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

Royal British Legion representatives will also be joined by the Lord Mayor of Bradford in a wreath-laying ceremony at the city's cenotaph, the council said.

Meanwhile, a commemoration event was due to be held in Bingley, including the lighting of a special D-Day 80 beacon, a spokesperson said.

The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Beverley Mullaney, said: "It is important we keep alive the memory of all those who took part in the D-Day landings."

The short wreath-laying ceremony at Bradford Cenotaph was due to start at 11:00 BST, according to Bradford Council.

A prayer would also be said and those gathered would observe a minute’s silence in remembrance of all those who took part in the D-Day landings in 1944.

'Peace and freedom'

The lighting of the beacon in Bingley would coincide with other beacons being lit across the UK, overseas territories and on the Normandy beaches, the council said.

Representatives of the Bingley Detachment Cadets, 3rd Bingley Sea Scouts, Spen Valley Marching Band and All Saints Choir would be attending, as well as the Lord Lieutenant, a spokesperson said.

There would also be an event organised by Keighley Town Council in the Town Hall square on Thursday, with live 1940s-style music and entertainment from 18:30 BST.

A beacon would be lit by the cenotaph at 21:15 BST in line with the national commemoration.

The bells of All Saints Parish Church in Bingley were also expected to join in with the national Ring Out for Peace set to take place at 18:30 BST on Thursday, the council said.

Ms Mullaney said of those who took part in the largest seaborne invasion in history: "Their sacrifice enables us all to enjoy the peace and freedom we have today.

"All are warmly welcome to attend to pay tribute to all those who served."