AN open-air tea dance was held in Cinderford on Saturday afternoon as part of the town’s D-Day celebrations.

The event in The Triangle featured dancers from Bishopswood-based Jive By The Wye, local singers and lots of tea and cake.

Volunteers from Crossroads Care with the raffle stall at the Cinderford tea party.
Volunteers from Crossroads Care with the raffle stall at the Cinderford tea party. (© Forest Review)

On Thursday’s anniversary of the Normandy Landings, town crier read a proclamation in The Triangle, the D-Day flag was raised and there were free screenings at The Palace Cinema of the film The Longest Day and a BBC documentary about D-Day.

In the evening, the beacon was lit in The Triangle.

As part of the commemorations in Coleford, town mayor Cllr Nick Penny visited the four war graves in the town and at the beacon lighting later, the names of the 50 soldiers whose names are on the war memorial were read out by young people from the Coleford detachment of the Army Cadet Force.

The bells in the clock tower were rung by members of the Forest branch of the Bristol and Gloucester Bellringers’ Association with assistance from St Mary’s Church in Lydney

A service included the lighting of a peace lantern by Paul McMahon of Coleford British Legion and there was music from the Pillowell Silver Band and the Coleford Community Choir.

Paul McMahon of Coleford British Legion lights the town's peace lantern.
Paul McMahon of Coleford British Legion lights the town's peace lantern. (Forest Review)

Cllr Penny said: “I visited the four Commonwealth war graves in Coleford.They are among the 50 who names were so eloquently read by the youngsters of the Gloucestershire Army Cadet Force.

“We end with a commemoration that brings our community together, something I think Coleford does so well.

“I was amazed to see so many people here to hear the bells ringing.“

He thanked the many organisations that had helped in bringing about the commemoration.