 Top Left: Councillor Danny Smith thanking the audience members for attending the event. Bottom Left: Royal British Legion Chair, Kerryanne Wilde reading the International Tribute. Top Right: Veteran Brian Donaghy lighting the gas beacon. Bottom Right: Royal British Legion Chair, Kerryanne Wilde & Veteran Brian Donaghy looking on at the lit gas beacon. Photo credit (Bottom Left & Bottom Right): Frederick Cameron Wilson
On 6th June 1944, the largest Naval, Air and land Operation in history took place involving many hundreds of thousands of men who landed on Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword beaches in Normandy.
Penrith Town Council was pleased to coordinate the D-Day Commemoration on Thursday 6 July to mark 80 years since the D-Day Landings with the reading of the D-Day 80 Proclamation at the Cornmarket Bandstand in the morning of the 6 June 2024 and a D-Day 80 commemoration event which included the singing of period songs by Committed2Rock, the reading of the International Tribute by Royal British Legion Chair Kerryanne Wilde and the lighting of the gas beacon by Veteran Brian Donaghy.
The International Tribute in full read:
- Let us remember those who gave their lives at home and abroad during the D-Day landings, whose sacrifice enables us all to enjoy the peace and freedom we have today.
- Let us remember those who came home wounded, physically and mentally, and the friends and family who cared for them.
- Let us remember those who returned to restore their relationships and rebuild their working lives after years of conflict and turmoil.
- Let us remember the families that lost husbands, wives, sons, daughters and sweethearts.
- Let us remember the servicemen and women and merchant seafarers of all faiths and nationalities – from all countries – who fought, suffered and died during the D-Day landings and six years of war.
- Let us all remember those in the Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force, Merchant Navy, and our Allies – the brave people who kept us safe on the home front and abroad and those in reserved occupations during the difficult time of war.
- Let us remember the brave doctors and nurses who cared for the wounded, the men and women who toiled in the fields, the coal mines, the factories and the air raid wardens, police officers, firemen, ambulance drivers and the young people of the scouts and Guides who all played such a vital role in the war.
Around 300 hundred people attended the event.
A video of the International Tribute can be viewed on the Council's Facebook page.
The D-Day 80 Proclamation
 Councillor Charlie Shepherd reading the D-Day 80 Proclamation at the Cornmarket Bandstand.
Earlier in the day, Charlie Shepherd, Chair of the Council’s Finance Committee and Former Mayor, read out the D-Day 80 Proclamation at the Bandstand in the Cornmarket.
A video of the D-Day 80 Proclamation can be viewed on the Council's Facebook page.
The Proclamation can be viewed in full below:
Oyez, Oyez, Oyez
Today we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, France – an incredible achievement in military planning and logistics uniting brave service personnel from air, sea and land forces at
the beginning of Operation Overlord.
By the day’s end, over one hundred and fifty thousand Allied
troops had successfully stormed the now famous Gold, Juno, Sword, Utah and Omaha beaches to achieve a toehold in France.
In the weeks that followed, the Allies fought bitterly against a determined foe from the unforgiving countryside of Normandy to the liberation of Paris two months later.
We should all remember and never forget the selfless sacrifice and courage of all those involved and use this Commemoration to pay our tribute to those who gave so much to secure the freedom
we all enjoy today.
GOD SAVE THE KING
St Catherine’s D-Day Poem
 Students at St Catherines RC reciting the D-Day Heroes poem.
The Council also wrote to all schools in Penrith inviting them to take part in D-Day 80 by reciting a specially written poem called D-Day Heroes.
St Catherines RC read the poem at 11am on 6 June. The whole school was present from reception to Year 6 to hear it before learning more about D Day.
The poem was as follows:
- It is D-Day, the sixth of June Nineteen-Forty-Four.
- Operation Overlord commenced, leaving the world in awe.
- The planning started in Nineteen-Forty-three.
- Bringing Allies together, to make our World free. Deception was used, codenamed Operation Bodyguard.
- Making rubber tanks and wooden planes as a façade.
- An American unit was formed for General Omar Bradley.
- Then a web of lies was spread, by his Ghost Army.
- Much more was done, to keep the Germans in the dark.
- Before the Allies on foreign shores, could disembark.
- Everything was Most Secret and kept Hush Hush.
- As Allies gathered resources, for their big push.
- The Allied Supreme Commander was General Dwight Eisenhower.
- With General (Monty) Montgomery as Temporary Ground Commander.
- Eleven Thousand Aircraft and Gliders with Paratroopers and Soldiers.
- Were dropped behind enemy lines to secure the area.
- More than Five-thousand ships, the biggest Armada ever seen.
- Sailed from British shores and our fields of green.
- Monty’s battle plan was written, on one sheet of paper.
- Set for June the Fifth, the Day of their departure.
- But bad weather, caused a Twenty-four-hour delay.
- Then conditions changed, and they got underway.
- British, American, Canadian and many other countries, were together thrown.
- Going to fight a War, something many had never known.
- Over One Hundred and Fifty-Thousand men of every creed.
- Will perform acts of courage, that must succeed.
- There were Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and the Merchant Navy.
- Many Civilians who volunteered to fight against Nazi tyranny.
- Over the English Channel and to Normandy, France will go.
- To land on beaches called Sword, Gold, Utah, Omaha and Juno.
- Were they afraid? Yes! they most certainly were.
- But the world must be saved, that was their spur.
- The German defences were called, the Atlantic Wall.
- Hitler told Field-Marshall Rommel, he must, the Allies stall.
- The Allies landed Twenty-Four-Thousand troops on D-Day.
- Commencing at Six-Thirty, then things went into disarray.
- Wind and rough seas helped landing craft, miss their mark.
- Putting the plan in jeopardy from the start.
- Fierce resistance was put up, by Germans guarding the beaches.
- The time had come to fight, no further need for speeches.
- Beaches were Mined, Barbed wire laid, metal tripods and many hazards.
- Were set to kill, maim and make things awkward.
- Over Ten-Thousand casualties, the Allies had that first day.
- With over Four-Thousand dead, a heavy price to pa y.
- D-Day made Heroes, in that hell unknown.
- Helping turn the Tide of War, as the Enemy were overthrown
 The Council has awarded a grant of £2,500 to Meals on Wheels Cumbria to establish a new service in Penrith.
The Meals on Wheels Cumbria service provides hearty, nutritious food to people who struggle to make meals for themselves. Presently, they deliver to Carlisle, Wigton, Brampton and Longtown and now Penrith!
A video has been produced in which Penrith Town Council Chair and Penrith Mayor, Doug Lawson explains a little more about the Council's involvement and the Meals on Wheels Service.
Doug Lawson, Penrith Town Council Chair & Penrith Mayor went on further to say:
"Unfortunately, so often nowadays you hear on the news about areas losing certain crucial services – so it's a breath of fresh air to see a new service coming to Penrith - Meals on Wheels!
"I am so proud to see the Council being able to financially support the establishment of the Meals on Wheels service to Penrith - as that's what our grant scheme is all about - supporting initiatives and projects that matter to local people.
“Their service is available to anyone who is unable or struggling to cook for themselves – whether that be due to illness or any other reason.
“Their service also offers many hot food classics – such as one of my personal favourites: Toad in the Hole! So, if you are interested in signing up, please get in contact with Meals on Wheels Cumbria directly."
Meals on Wheels are now delivering in Penrith. If you struggle to cook for yourself or know someone who would benefit from the service, then please get in touch by visiting the Meals on Wheels website or by calling 01768 877 977.
If you are interested in volunteering to transport meals from Carlisle to Penrith on a Monday and a Friday, please contact 01768 877 977.
If your organisation has a project you would like us to support over the course of 2024 and into 2025, please call 01768 899 773, email: office@penrithtowncouncil.gov.uk or visit the Penrith Town Council website.
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Get involved with Stomping Ground's Penrith Wild Play Day at Thacka Beck Field!
The event will take place on Monday 29 July 2024, between 11am - 2pm at Thacka Beck Field.
Penrith Town Council has fully funded the Wild Play Day, ensuring that any child / young person wanting to attend is able to - free of charge.
The day itself will involve building dens, making and creating, circus fun, bubble making, playing in Stomping Ground's mud kitchen, and the opportunity to play music with BlueJam Arts!
Bring the whole family and a picnic for a packed day at Thacka Beck Field!
Important information: Thacka Beck Field can be accessed from Tynefield Drive, Carleton Drive and the A686. There are paved paths with steps down from both Tynefield Drive and Carleton Drive. There is a gated entrance from the A686 onto Thacka Beck Field. All access locations lead onto a hardstanding path which cuts through the field and leads to where you can find the event taking place. Stomping Ground strongly encourage that families to walk to the event, where possible, as parking is limited.
 On behalf of the Mayor of Penrith, Cllr Scott Jackson and Cllr Hilary Snell met Cllr John Thain from Penrith City Council, New South Wales, Australia and his son Garion who were visiting the town.
Councillor Scott Jackson, Chair of the Council's Planning Committee said:
"It was a great pleasure to meet our cousins from the other side of the world!
"Our two 'Penriths' face many of the same challenges, despite being very different places in terms of size, industries and of course climate!
"It was hugely informative to share stories of regeneration, public engagement and relationships with different levels of government.
"I'd like to thank Councillor Thain and his son Garion for sharing their time with us as they toured the UK and hope they enjoyed the rest of their trip!"
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Councillor Hilary Snell, Chair of the Council's Communities Committee said:
‘‘It was great to meet Cllr Thain and hear about Penrith City Council in New South Wales Australia.
"Penrith in Cumbria is much smaller with only 17,500 residents approximately compared to 217,000 residents in Penrith Australia, but surprisingly we had so much in common.
"It was especially good to hear how they too are trying to involve young people in the City Council.
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The Penrith Chamber of Trade & Commerce's Stars of Business Awards is back for 2024!
The Council are pleased to announce that we will be sponsoring the Volunteer of the Year category!
There are eight other categories (nine in total) which you are currently able to nominate businesses and individuals for, so don't miss out on your chance to nominate your choices for Volunteer of the Year and more!:
Once the nomination process has closed, a shortlist will be drawn up and then taken to a public vote, with the business / individual who receives the most votes winning the award.
The Stars of Business Awards will be taking place on Friday 4 October 2024 at the Roundthorn Hotel.
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The Council's Finance, Communities & Planning Committees have appointed their Vice Chair's for the 2024/25 Municipal Year.
These are as follows:
- Communities Committee - Cllr. Val Bowen
- Planning Committee - Cllr. Deb Holden
- Finance Committee - Cllr. Ron Kenyon
Thank you to all of our residents for your responses to our consultation on the draft Environment Strategy & Plan.
The draft plan was developed by the Environment Task and Finish Group who will now use all of the responses to identify the actions which will be taken forward by the Council.
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Any member of the public can attend Council meetings. The Council's upcoming meetings are detailed below with dates, times and venues.
Full Council Meeting
- Date: Monday 15 July 2024
- Time: 6.00pm - 8.00pm
- Venue: Unit 2, Church House, 19-24 Friargate
Finance Committee:
- Date: Monday 16 September 2024
- Time: 5.15pm - 7.15pm
- Venue: Board Room, Unit 1 Church House, 19-24 Friargate
Planning Committee:
- Date: Monday 29 July 2024
- Time: 5.15pm - 7.15pm
- Venue: Unit 2, Church House, 19-24 Friargate
Communities Committee:
- Date: Monday 14 October 2024
- Time: 5.15pm - 7.15pm
- Venue: Boardroom, Unit 1, Church House, 19-24 Friargate
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