Preparations to commemorate D-Day are well underway at Greenham Common control tower.
The planned flypast of a Lancaster bomber has, however, been cancelled after an RAF pilot, Sqd Ldr Mark Long, died in a Spitfire crash near RAF Coningsby at the weekend.
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight has cancelled all flights until the cause of the crash is fully understood.
The focus of events in Newbury will be at the control tower throughout the day on Thursday (June 6).
The airfield played a crucial role in the D-Day airborne operation to drop more than 20,000 troops into occupied Europe and local involvement was significant.
Elliotts of Newbury, furniture makers during peacetime, were part of the production of gliders – more than 400 Horsa gliders were assembled at the Crookham end of Greenham Common.
On the eve of D-Day General Eisenhower also travelled to Greenham Common to address the troops.
He gave his now-famous “the eyes of the world are upon you” speech from Greenham Lodge and watched 81 Dakotas take off at 11 second intervals to lead the invasion of Normandy.
Next week’s event will start with a service of commemoration at 11am, led by The Royal British Legion, with representatives from the US Air Force.
Helping to bring history to life there will be displays of military vehicles, from Welford Historical Society, Abingdon Model Club and Newbury Stitchers, as well as a specially curated exhibition, which runs at the control tower until August 29.
The café will be open all day and a fish and chip van will be on site, as well as a mobile bar run by Renegade Brewery.
There will be music and dancing from 6pm, and after an official address the control tower will be floodlight red to coincide with the national lighting of beacons at 9.15pm.
There will be a free bus service from Newbury Wharf bus station, which stops at The Plough on the Green and Water Lane at 10.15am and again at 7pm and 7.30pm.
It will leave the control tower at 1pm, 9.30pm and 10pm.
Free buses leave from Thatcham Broadway (outside Morrisons) and Thatcham Town FC Clubhouse (15 minutes later) at 7.15pm and 7.45pm; returning at 9.45pm and 10.15pm.
The day of events has been organised in conjunction with Newbury Town Council, Greenham Parish Council and Greenham Trust.
“We are delighted to join Greenham Control Tower in the organisation of this special D-Day commemoration, offering so much for local residents to enjoy”, said councillor Jo Day, chairperson of the D- Day 80th Anniversary Commemorations Working Group.
