Church bells will ring out for today's D-Day 80th anniversary

* Bells will ring out from St Collen's Church.

Llangollen's church bells will ring out to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day this morning. 

The special day commemorates the Allied landings on the coast of Normandy on June 6th 1944,

Church bells all over the country will be rung to celebrate the peace which followed when World War Two in Europe came to an end just under a year later.

And just after 11am today the same peal for peace will be heard from the bell tower of St Collen's.

A little earlier - and precisely at 11am - Llangollen’s town crier is joining his counterparts from across the world to deliver a very special proclamation to mark the anniversary.

Austin “Chem” Cheminais is on a list of over 300 town criers from many countries who have been asked to send out to their local communities the commemorative message detailing the famous cross-channel invasion.

Accompanied by a contingent from the Llangollen branch of the Royal British Legion, he will stand in Centenary Square and at 11am cry out the proclamation which has been specially penned for the occasion by Christian Ashdown of the Ancient and Honourable Guilds of Town Criers who formerly served with the Household Cavalry.

The proclamation he will deliver is:

“Oyez, Oyez, Oyez

“Today we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, France - an incredible achievement in military planning and logistics uniting brave service personnel from air, sea and land forces at the beginning of Operation Overlord.

“By the day’s end, over one hundred and fifty thousand Allied troops had successfully stormed the now famous Gold, Juno, Sword, Utah and Omaha beaches to achieve a toehold in France.

“In the weeks that followed, the Allies fought bitterly against a determined foe from the unforgiving countryside of Normandy to the liberation of Paris two months later.

“We should all remember and never forget the selfless sacrifice and courage of all those involved and use this Commemoration to pay our tribute to those who gave so much to secure the freedom we all enjoy today. God Save the King!”