Hayling Island played an important part throughout WWII but particularly leading up to D-Day 6th June 1944.
At Hayling Ferry the site of the construction of 4 parts of the Mulberry Harbour, there will be a static display of wartime vehicles during the day and in the evening the Royal Marine Association Concert Band will perform a programme of music including the full ceremony of Sunset and lowering of flags followed by music from the Last Night of the Proms as Hayling’s beacon is lit, together with a pyrotechnic display.
The Hayling event has been made part of the national anniversary commemorations.
These events will take place across the car parks of the Ferry Boat Inn and Johns Café and are free for the public to attend.
There will be no parking in both John’s and the Ferry Boat Inn car park during the day.
Prior to the Sunset ceremony a short remembrance ceremony will be held by Father Mark, a former Royal Marine pastor, with a wreath being laid in the harbour by the Eastney RNLI as the Hayling Ferry simulates the fire boat that was based at the ferry during the war with projecting jets of water.
Haying Military veterans will participate as will members of the COPP association together with the Royal British Legion, the Hayling Army cadets and the Hayling Young Stars.
The popular music group Timeless will be playing 1940’s music and songs in the Ferry Boat Inn from 2130hrs.
At some time during the day, to be confirmed and subject to the weather, a flypast of three Spitfires from Biggin Hill will fly along Hayling seafront.
Due to the limitation on parking the public are advised to park in the council car parks at Beachlands where the City of Portsmouth Preserved Transport Depot will provide the former double decker Hayling Ferry bus to transport from outside the beachlands council office to the ferry and back from 1800hrs. onwards.
The whole event is being undertaken in memory of Major Sir Michael Parker the late producer of the Royal Tournament for over 25 years and the UK’s foremost pageant master.
The event is being held in association with and supported by:-
Sir Cameron Mackintosh; Warrens Holiday Resorts; The Hayling Lions; Barratt Homes; 2MV Logistics; CAT Scaffolding; Darren Ford (Hayling); Hayling Print; Hayling Hardware; The Ferry Boat Inn; Johns Café; RNLI (Eastney); City of Portsmouth Preserved Transport Depot.
As more details are firmed up these will be published.