THE FIRST of Wokingham’s 80th D-Day anniversary celebrations took place in the Wade Day Centre Garden on Friday.
An afternoon of music, dancing, and memories organised by Wokingham In Need was attended by around 150 invited residents from borough residential homes.
Founder of Wokingham In Need Sue Jackson and her team transformed the town’s Wade Day Centre into a 1940’s vintage tea dance, dressing it with bunting, posters and memorabilia.
Guests were welcomed by a Circus Scene stilt walker in khaki, and ushered to garden tables nestling beneath flag-draped gazebos.
But it wasn’t long before live music from Art Themen had many of the guests on their feet dancing to war-time tunes.
Wokingham’s town crier opened the D-Day celebration.
He said: “We should never forget the selfless sacrifice and courage of all those involved who gave so much to secure the freedom we all enjoy today.”
Organiser of the event Sue Jackson thanked Wade Centre staff and trustees, and her own team, for helping to make the day such a success.
Guest of honour deputy Lord-Leutenant Stefan Fafinski thanked Wokingham In Need and said that he was delighted to represent the Lord-Lieutenant and His Majesty King Charles the Third.
“As we reflect on a momentous day in history we must remember the brave souls of June 6, 1944,” he said.
“Not only those who fought, but those who supported them, and the families and communities who waited hopefully for their safe return.”
After the speeches, afternoon tea was served, with more 1940s music from The Bailey Dolls.
Kevin Lenton shared his father Corporal Arthur Ernest Lenton’s story, giving context to what happened before and during the Normandy landings.
“Whilst we are having fun,” he said, “We mustn’t forget that many people made the ultimate sacrifice.”
His talk was followed by a minute’s silence to remember all who fought and gave their lives.
On display in the Wade Centre was an array of 1940’s photographs, documents, and items collected specially for the celebration.
Wokingham resident, Rose, who was seven when the war began, contributed items to the collection and chatted with Wokingham.Today.
She said: “I collected memorabilia for a number of years – tin helmets and gas masks, that sort of thing.
“Eventually I gave most of my collection to a school, but I kept some items back.
“I’ve put some ARP (Air Raid Patrol) warden badges into the collection – these were people who patrolled during the night.”
Rose recalls a vivid wartime memory.
“One night we had an air raid,” she said.
“My family woke up, and soon I could hear my father in the front bedroom, whispering to my brother.
“I knew something was up so I came closer, but he shushed me as I walked through the door.
“All of a sudden, my father said to my brother, ‘get my revolver, George.’
“Then he shouted, ‘there he goes,’ and I rushed to the window to look out.
“I saw a chap at the bottom of the garden climb over the fence and into the woods beyond.
“Then my dad sent us all back to bed, and in the morning we told the ARP what had happened.
“They never found that man as he had long gone, but they did find a shallow grave where another German parachutist lay.
“The chap we saw must have been hungry, and had tried to get into our house.”
Rose recalls that life was very different during the war.
“I had a three mile walk to school, and my mother used to say to me, ‘if there’s an air raid, knock on the nearest door and ask them to take you inside.’
“You wouldn’t do that nowadays – it was a different world then.
“It’s good to remember what happened, and to pay our respects to all the men and women who never came back.”
Songs sung all together, and a rendition of the national anthem brought the afternoon’s D-Day celebrations to a close.
Guests included: borough mayor Cllr Adrian Mather, former town mayor Cllr Malcolm Richards, former town mayor Cllr Sally Gurney, Cllr Chris Cooke, Katy Hughes Wokingham town clerk, deputy Lord Leutenant Stefan Fafinski, and deputy town mayor Cllr Louise Timlin – here with chair of Wade board of trustees Mr Philip Mirfin.
For information, visit: www.wokinghaminneed.com, and www.wadecentre.org.uk
