An award-winning museum is gearing up to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day with a day of immersive history experiences.
The Castletown D-Day centre, located on Portland, will be hosting hands on "living history" events and activities on Thursday, June 6, to highlight the important role Portland played in the D-Day landings.
The centre opened in 2017 won the prestigious Travellers’ Choice Award in 2021 and 2023 from the TripAdvisor website , which recognises the great online reviews that the museum receives, ranking it within the top 10 per cent on TripAdvisor.
One of the main events of the day will be a military convoy of authentic Second World War vehicles that will travel through key locations across the island.
The convoy will congregate at The Castletown D-Day Centre between 12pm and 12.30pm before leaving at 1pm.
It will then pass around Victoria Square, through Fortuneswell, Weston, Southwell, Portland Bill, and Easton, then finally stopping at Yeates Road by the Heights Hotel at 13.50pm ready for the 14:00 service at the Cenotaph.
Anyone with a World War Two military vehicle or period attire is invited to join the procession, and space permitting, ride in a military vehicle.
Mark Ford, manager at Castletown D-Day centre, said: "It is such a privilege to represent the Castletown D-Day centre as we honour Portland’s vital contribution to D-Day.
“I would encourage local residents from Weymouth and Portland to make the most of our special half-price admission offer so they can get a real of understanding of the history on their doorstep.
“Please join us on Thursday, June 6 for an unforgettable event that honours the many thousands who sacrificed so much for our freedoms."
People can also handle authentic World War Two uniforms, weapons and equipment. There will also be a full-size replica Spitfire, a Bofors 40mm gun, interactive audio-visual displays, a D-Day bunker, and a Sherman tank at the centre.
In the lead up to the D-Day anniversary, the centre were recently visited by D-Day veterans and international volunteers.
The centre previously welcomed D-Day veteran Albert Fenton and his son Andrew ahead of the anniversary.
READ MORE: Castletown D-Day Centre to host vehicle convoy for 80 years
101-year-old D-Day veteran Reg Skeffington and his family also recently visited the centre.
In the run-up to D-Day, Reg was at Portland Harbour Naval Base on HMS Pytchely, a Royal Navy Type 1 Hunt Class Escort Destroyer - part of the naval escort supporting the assault on Gold Beach.
On Thursday May 30, the museum team were also visited by a band of volunteers from The Museum of American G.I. from College Station, Texas.
For the latest news and updates from the centre, visit www.ddaycentre.com
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here