Gosport to commemorate D-Day heroes on 80th anniversary
Gosport will commemorate D-Day 80 with a beacon lighting event on Thursday 6 June, followed by a civic event on Sunday 9 June, both open to the public.
6 June 2024 marks the 80th anniversary of Allied Forces mounting the largest amphibious invasion the world has ever witnessed in 1944. Stokes Bay and Hardway were chosen as embarkation points for tanks and support vehicles destined for Normandy.
Gosport will take part in the national beacon lighting on 6 June at 9.15pm, in celebration of the 'light of peace' that came out of the darkness of the war. The beacon will be sited on the slipway opposite Stokes Bay Sailing Club. The Mayor of Gosport, Cllr Richard Earle, will light the beacon, as the National Tribute is read by Mrs Arabella Birdwood DL, representing the Lord-Lieutenant.
Then on Sunday 9 June, a D-Day 80 Civic event takes place at the foreshore at Hardway (Priory Road), next to Hardway Sailing Club, with an unarmed guard courtesy of HMS Sultan. A parade will step off from the junction of Quay Lane/Priory Road at 10.20am, led by the Royal Marine Volunteer Cadet Band.
Revd Emma McPhail will lead the service incorporating a two-minute silence at 11am with a choir from St John's School in attendance. The Lord-Lieutenant will be represented by Admiral Sir Philip Jones GCB, DL.
Gosport in Bloom 2024 is open!
It's time to get green fingered, because Gosport in Bloom 2024 is now open.
This year there are 13 categories people can enter, including Best Front Garden, Best Container, Best Shopfront Display, Best Allotment Plot, and Most Unusual Garden Plant. There's also a Best Street award, helping to encourage everyone to care about the places they live and work.
To help stimulate the next generation of gardeners, Gosport In Bloom also ran a Schools in Bloom competition which closed on 17 May. It got children growing their own food and creative in their gardens.
It's the platform for the borough's entry into the South and South East In Bloom Awards, where Gosport has enjoyed past success.
Ongoing support from sponsors A&S Motors and Hambrooks helps make Gosport in Bloom a perennial success.
Entries are open until 5pm Friday 7 June, judging takes place between 24 June to 5 July, before the prizes are handed out at the awards on Thursday 26 September.
Best of luck!
The Gosport Borough Council elections took place on Thursday 2 May, with the votes counted overnight and the results announced into Friday morning (3 May).
In total, 15 seats were up for election this year; one seat in each of the council's 14 wards, with the exception of Lee West where both seats were up.
Liberal Democrat candidates won eight of the available wards to retain overall control of the council, with the Conservatives taking six and Labour winning one seat.
Cllr Peter Chegwyn (Lib Dem) continues as Leader of the council, with Rob Hylands (Lib Dem) Deputy Leader.
In total there are 28 seats Gosport Borough Council and the political make-up is now: 15 Liberal Democrat councillors, 10 Conservative, 2 Labour, 1 vacancy.
Prior to the election the council comprised: 16 Liberal Democrat, 9 Conservative, 2 Labour, 1 vacant.
Separately, a Mayor-Making ceremony took place, where Cllr Richard Earle was named Gosport Mayor. His chosen charities are Plan B, Cedaroak Support Trust and Level Up Gosport. Debbie Sherman, his partner, is Gosport Mayoress.
A tireless charity fundraiser has been crowned Gosport Citizen of the Year 2024.
Al Tottle received the highest civic honour from the Mayor of Gosport, Cllr Richard Earle (pictured together with the Mayoress Debbie Sherman).
In presenting the award, the Mayor said: "Al Tottle is the sort of man for whom the term ‘Good Samaritan’ was invented. So many people in Gosport and beyond have benefited in some way from Al’s kindness."
Al has been a fundraiser for local charity Sophie's Legacy, which caught his attention when a young girl Sophie was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Al not only took part in many fundraising events which Sophie herself designed, but encouraged others to become involved, and he's carried his Sophie's Legacy flag on many events, including the Great South Run.
Al makes items for sale for charity and volunteers at parkrun and junior parkrun.
The Mayor added: "Al is honest, compassionate and a force for good. He is an example us all of how to be a good citizen and he is certainly a fantastic ambassador for Gosport."
Junior Gosport Citizen of the Year
Charlotte Oddy was presented with the youth award in recognition of her work as a cadet member of Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service (GAFIRS).
Charlotte volunteered a total of 160 hours for GAFIRS between April and September.
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