TOWN, PARISH & COMMUNITY COUNCILS - D-DAY 80 - 6TH JUNE 2024
This year the D-Day 80 - 6th June 2024, will be celebrated throughout the UK, Channel Islands, Isle
of Man and UK Overseas Territories in Commemoration/Celebration of the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day
landings on the five Beaches in Normandy, France, which took place on 6th June 1944. This will enable your
Council and local community to use this occasion to pay ’tribute’ to the many, many thousands that
sacrificed so much in helping to secure the freedom we all enjoy today. With this in mind, here is a list which has been
developed several ways in which your Council and community can take part in this special occasion.
(1) BEACON: Light a Beacon at 9.15pm on 6th June, as encouraged by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (See
page 3) of the Guide To Taking Part which can be viewed and downloaded from the D-Day 80 website -
www.d-day80beacons.co.uk
From the Guide (see pages 41 to 45), you will see there are several styles of Beacons that can be used for
this occasion, many of which you may have used for previous occasions, and those of you with the
permanent Beacon Braziers and gas fuelled Beacons produced for our late Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum
Jubilee, are urged to re-use these to save money. With regard to the Bonfire Beacons (see pages 41 and
42), these are ideal for country parks, village greens and our farms throughout the UK etc.
(2) LAMP LIGHT OF PEACE: We understand that there are areas of our local communities unable to
light Beacons for various reasons, so we have developed the Lamp Light of Peace (see page 39) providing a
simple and cost effective way of becoming and being part of this event by lighting it at 9.15pm on 6th June
next year, coinciding with the lighting of the Beacons that night, and once used for this occasion, they can be
re-lit at 11am on 11th November in ‘Remembrance’ for many years to come. (The flame in the Lamp, along
with the Beacons, will represent the ‘light of peace’ that emerged from the dreadful darkness of War). We
believe these are suitable for Care Homes, Hospitals, and Pubs etc, and have already had several taking
part. (See examples on the D-Day 80 website).
(3) RINGING OUT FOR PEACE: With the valuable assistance of the Central Council of Church Bell
Ringers (see website), we are encouraging every Cathedral and Church throughout the UK, Channel Islands
and the Isle of Man to ring their Bells at 6.30pm on 6th June, so we ask you to contact your local Churches
etc, inviting them to take part.
(4) All those taking part in the above will be sent the Certificate of Grateful Recognition, enabling them to
download, print and frame it as a permanent reminder of their involvement (see website). From the website
and Guide To Taking Part, you will see there are other elements taking place, making up this
Commemoration/Celebration event, with many taking part already as their personal tributes. Those taking
part in this event are being asked to go to page 52 in the Guide, outlining their involvement as requested,
to enable us to register their participation, and send them their Certificate.
We do hope that your Council will participate in one or more of the above, and look forward to hearing
from you in due course.
My warmest regards to you all,
Bruno Peek CVO OBE OPR
Pageantmaster, D-Day 80, 6th June 2024
Telephone: + 44 (0) 7737 262 913
Email:
www.d-day80beacons.co.uk
We need your help!
We are looking to get this information out to as many residents in Worcestershire as possible – through community centres and hubs, village halls and parish councils (any means possible) etc.
Helen Mehaffey
Project Manager HUG2
Economy and Infrastructure
Worcestershire County Council, County Hall, Spetchley Road, Worcester, WR5 2NP
Tel: 01905 845398 or email:
Free home improvements now available to residents in Worcestershire.
Worcestershire County Council has received Government funding as part of the drive to save energy and make homes warmer. Warmer homes can also improve well-being and help with certain health conditions.
The Home Upgrade Grant scheme (HUGs) is designed to tackle colder homes that do not have mains gas central heating. Homeowners and tenants in Worcestershire could benefit from a variety of measures to help reduce energy bills including: internal and external wall insulation, loft and cavity wall insulation, air source heat pumps, solar panels, draught proofing and many more.
To qualify, households must not use mains gas to heat their home (but may have a supply for cooking, and have a gross annual income of less than £31,000 with a current Home Energy Performance certificate (EPC) rating of D to G.
Funding is also available for landlords in the charity and private rented sector.
Those who qualify for the scheme, will undergo a free technical survey to see which improvements would be most suitable and help improve energy efficiency the most.
Worcestershire County Council is working in partnership with local energy charity Act on Energy, along with Redditch Borough Council, Bromsgrove, Wychavon and Malvern Hills District Councils to deliver this programme.
If you live in Worcester City or Wyre Forest District, visit your council’s website for information on the schemes operating in your area.
If you think you might qualify or know of anyone that might benefit from this scheme it is easy to apply.
For more information, including full eligibility, and to register your interest visit:
Home Upgrade Grant Scheme (HUG2) | Worcestershire County Council OR
To speak to an energy advisor contact Act on Energy on their free advice line 0800 988 2881
Please find below the lastest Civlitiy and Respect Newsletter.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has been notified by the Local Government Association (LGA) that it has come to an agreement on the 2023/24 pay offer with the unions representing local government employees
Model Financial Regulations Consultation
NALC is working with The Parkinson Partnership LLP to update its 2019 Model Financial Regulations for England and Wales. The model financial regulations are part of a support package that parish and town councils receive through their WALC (and therefore NALC) membership. They are an essential tool for councils of all sizes, setting out the framework within which the council ensures responsible, sustainable and compliant management of its finances.
NALC is seeking views on the technical aspects of the regulations. The responses will inform the revision and content of the model financial regulations. Tickets are of course free, but booking is required. Please click on the links below to join this essential consultation.
The Royal British Legion (RBL) recently launched Councillor Network. The aim is to enhance the support RBL provides to those who serve in local government. All elected representatives from every level of local government – including from local (town and parish) councils – are invited to join.
Members of the Network will receive regular communication about how local government can support the Armed Forces community, and about the wider work of RBL, ranging from Remembrance, to Fundraising, to Membership. If you would like to be in touch with a member of the Campaigns, Policy and Research team to learn more about the RBL Councillor Network, please email
Staying Healthy in Worcestershire survey
What should our priorities be when helping people stay healthy for longer?
We want your views. Tell us in our new survey, Staying Healthy in Worcestershire. It takes just 5 minutes of your time.
To access the survey click on this link Staying Healthy in Worcestershire
The next training course on commons, greens, and open spaces is just around the corner, and it's perfect if you're looking to learn the fundamentals of protecting land.
You are invited to attend a course with Open Spaces Society.
Core modules include:
- What are commons and village greens, why they are important and relevant legislation
- Finding out about commons and greens
- Works on common land and greens
- New village greens: registering land as a new green
- Management and dealing with encroachments
- Local Green Space designation
The course will run online (via Zoom) on 31st October and 1st November (9:30am to 1pm both days). The cost is £80 per attendee. You can find out more on our website here.
‘Worcestershire County Council and the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust are thrilled to announce the second phase of the Natural Networks Programme. The programme’s goal is to improve biodiversity and create a network of wildlife-rich habitats throughout Worcestershire. Natural Networks offers free professional Biodiversity surveys and grants between £1000-£15,000 (for up to 40% of project costs) for improving areas of land or water for wildlife. For information on eligibility and how to apply please click here (please note, the programme only offers tree planting advice for Bromsgrove & Redditch Districts and not other forms of advice or grants).’
If the above link on the ‘here’ isn’t copying, here it is again: Natural Networks Programme | Worcestershire County Council
As part of the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Suicide Prevention Programme, Worcestershire County Council are pleased to announce funded Suicide Prevention Training for anyone working or living in Herefordshire or Worcestershire supporting over 18s.
The training is a three hour online session aimed to improve skills and confidence to support someone and guide them to the help they need. After the training, all participants will have the option to sign up to the Orange Button Community Scheme.
Places can be booked through Herefordshire & Worcestershire Group Training Association’s Eventbrite page:
- If you live or work in Herefordshire - Free Suicide Prevention Training - Herefordshire Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite
- If you live or work in Worcestershire - Free Suicide Prevention Training - Worcestershire Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite
For any enquiries please contact HWGTA directly on 01432 274310 or email
Many Thanks
Herefordshire and Worcestershire Suicide Prevention Programme
Public Health
Worcestershire County Council, County Hall,
Spetchley Road, Worcester, WR5 2NP
Tel: 01905 845312
Email:
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The Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) are undertaking boundary review for Worcestershire.
In early June 2023 they undertook a presentation. The slides are available below
Worcestershire Parish Council and Community Group Briefing Presentation
