Shenley’s D-Day commemorations were attended by a 100-year-old veteran who served on the HMS Black Prince when Allied forces landed on the shores of Normandy 80 years ago this June.
In line with the national programme outlined by the Royal British Legion, a beacon was lit at the War Memorial in Shenley on the evening of June 6. In attendance were residents, local youth groups and Royal Navy Stoker 1st Class D-Day veteran Reg Skeffington – who also happens to be stepfather to Shenley Parish councillor Jonathan Shaw.
According to Cllr Shaw, Reg was involved in the biggest strike in the Pacific campaign against Tokyo in 1945, just 20 day before an atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima.
Reg stayed in Shenley with his proud stepson throughout local D-Day commemorations, which took place at the beginning of June.
Other events held locally included a picnic with bouncy castle and cream tea galore on the grass between Shenley Chapel and the Tea Rooms at Shenley Park on June 9. Bunting was handmade by local primary schools and children even had the chance to try on historic costumes.
Lastly, Shenley Parish Council and the Shenley Park Trust successfully raised £382 through their D-Day Pets project, which saw patriotic cats and dogs buying their very own Union Jack bandanas to raise funds. All profits have been donated to the Sir Richard Cox charity, which directly supports the residents of Shenley.
0 Comments