WEYMOUTH and Portland plan to host a "once in a lifetime" commemoration of D-Day this summer.

Weymouth Town Council will take the lead in hosting an event for the 80th anniversary of D-Day on behalf of Dorset Council.

Weymouth Town Council has allocated £5,000 towards various activities to run on Thursday, June 6 to mark the milestone and is also working with Portland Town Council and Dorset Council to coordinate several events that will make Weymouth and Portland a focal point for people to come to and enjoy this once in a generation occasion.  

Weymouth was one of the main points for troops to embark on D-Day and thousands of soliders left from the quay, with many never to return.

Many of the troops who embarked through Weymouth were part of the US first division, the ‘Big Red One’, who landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day. There were also several hospitals in Weymouth to receive casualties who were evacuated from Normandy. 

Events agreed by the committee include working with the Nothe Fort to host two early evening sessions where access to the fort is free for the local community. These sessions can accommodate up to 400 visitors at one time and will feature a D-Day exhibition, entertainment and potential talks or workshops. A ticketed beacon lighting event for dignitaries will also take place with 100 tickets made available to the public.  

A 1940s-themed van would also serve up portions of the seaside classic fish and chips at the Nothe, and the town council is exploring whether some portions could be provided for free. This activity has been chosen to tie in with National Fish and Chip Day which has been moved to June 6 this year to coincide with the D-Day anniversary. 

At a meeting of Weymouth Town Council Environment Committee, councillors were asked to consider further options for the event which would require more funding.

The additional options would include a D-Day soundscape, a big screen to televise the British national event, grants of up to £350 to allow community groups to hold their own events, a WWII Aircraft Static Display and D-Day tours around Weymouth town.

The additional options are expected to cost an extra £16,000, with some of the funding expected to be covered by Dorset Council.

Cllr David Gray said: "I would like to support going for the whole lot.

"My understanding is that it will be a once-in-a-lifetime event."

Cllr Ryan Hope, chair of the environment and services committee said: “Weymouth is set to be the place to be for people wishing to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

"We’re proud to be able to support our Armed Forces community by putting on a wide range of events to honour them and also attract visitors to the town who might even view Weymouth differently when confronted with its rich military history.

"These events are in addition to our annual Armed Forces Weekend which takes place over the weekend of June 22nd and 23rd.

"All eyes will be on us in Weymouth to host the best D-Day event in Dorset."

Cllr Christine James, Weymouth Town Council’s Armed Forces Covenant Champion, added: “Weymouth’s historical connection with D-Day has been well documented and so it’s fitting that the town will become a focal point for those wishing to reflect on the past while also learning more about what happened in the run-up to D-Day.

"Thousands of troops prepared to disembark from Weymouth harbour to play their part in one of the biggest military operations in history, and 80 years on, it is still just as important to remember the sacrifices they made.” 

The plans will now go to the Full Council for consideration on Wednesday, March 20, where councillors will consider further options once funding for these has been discussed with partners including Dorset Council.