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Goodwood to commemorate 80th anniversary of D-Day

Goodwood Estate | Press Article 11/06/24

  • The Duke of Richmond will light a beacon on St Roche’s Hill (The Trundle) on 6 June
  • All are invited to join to reflect as part of the series of national commemorative events
  • Further information available here

On Wednesday 5 and Thursday 6 June, the UK will pause to reflect and remember on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Goodwood will join the commemorations, with The Duke of Richmond set to light a beacon on St Roche’s Hill (The Trundle) at 9.15pm. Members of the public are invited to attend.

Due to its proximity to France, Sussex played a prominent role in the build-up of the D-Day operations on 6 June 1944. In Chichester and the surrounding areas, multiple sites were used by the military including Singleton, Boxgrove, and Westbourne. Goodwood House had been transformed into a hospital at the outbreak of the Second World War, with wards and an operating theatre. In the lead up to D-Day it was used by the 6th, 23rd and 121st General Hospitals Royal Army Medical Corps, who were tasked with preparing for the high number of expected casualties. This included packing tents ready to be erected as temporary hospitals in France.

In Chichester, the first meetings to co-ordinate the final D-Day plans were held at The Ship in North Street, Chichester, April 1944. The strategic planning of the airborne attacks took place at the Tangmere Sector Operations Room at College Hall, Bishop Otter College, now part of the University of Chichester. On D-Day and the days that followed, the Tangmere Operation Room at College Hall controlled 56 squadrons from a total of 18 airfields. 

Throughout 1943 and early 1944, Allied troops from Britain, Canada and the US undertook training in landing exercises across the South coast, including at the Witterings and Bracklesham Bay.

Following the major commemorative events in Portsmouth (5 June) and at the National Memorial Arboretum (6 June), the Goodwood beacon will be lit at 9.15pm on the southern side of St Roche’s Hill (The Trundle). The Duke of Richmond would like to extend an invitation to all to join him on this important occasion.

Anyone wishing to attend should park in the car park at Goodwood Racecourse, where they will be directed across the road and up the path towards the top of the hill. The beacon will be positioned on the southern side looking out to sea. Attendees are asked to arrive by 9pm and to bring a torch and suitable footwear for the steep path.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors:

The beacon will be lit on Thursday 6 June at 9.15pm on St Roche's Hill (The Trundle) by The Duke of Richmond.

Anyone wishing to join should park in the car park at Goodwood Racecourse, where they will be directed across the road and up the path towards the top of the hill. The beacon will be positioned on the southern side looking out to sea. Those attending are asked to arrive by 9pm and to bring a torch and suitable footwear for the steep path.

Further information available here.

Contact
For more information about please contact, Katharine Morgan, PR Manager: Katharine.Morgan@goodwood.com

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About Goodwood
Goodwood Estate is England’s greatest sporting estate set in 11,000 acres of beautiful West Sussex countryside. Seat of the Dukes of Richmond since 1697, it is renowned for creating exceptional experiences and world-class sporting events, as well as hosting some of the largest and most anticipated occasions in the British social calendar: Festival of Speed, Qatar Goodwood Festival, Goodwood Revival and Goodwoof.

Alongside Goodwood’s rich history sits an estate-wide culture of protecting and promoting sustainability, creativity, and the environment. The diverse portfolio of businesses includes one of the largest lowland organic farms in Europe; a famous Battle of Britain airfield and aerodrome; a racecourse; a historic motor circuit; two golf courses; one of the oldest cricket grounds in the country; The Kennels members’ clubhouse; ten-bedroom luxury retreat, Hound Lodge; self-catering holiday cottages, The Pheasantry, Peach Tree and Crab Apple; Goodwood Hotel and Health Club; the Goodwood Education Centre; the award-winning sustainable restaurant Farmer, Butcher, Chef and, of course, Goodwood House.