SCHOOLCHILDREN in Lyme Regis have been playing their part in commemorating the 70th anniversary of D-Day with a themed week of activities.

Students at St Michael’s Primary School in Lyme Regis have had talks from the local community, had their D-Day themed work displayed in the Jubilee Pavilion and have helped record a commemorative scroll to remember the fallen.

Today, on June 6, the whole school were invited to Woodmead Halls to take part in a D-Day dance.

The children left the school at 1pm dressed in 1940s clothing and walked to Woodmead Halls, where they spent the afternoon playing games, dancing and having jelly and ice cream.

Headteacher Annabel Grose said: “The students have had a week of activities to commemorate D-Day and have really enjoyed themselves.

“Two students were even at the 6am outdoor service of commemoration on Church Cliffs this morning (Friday, June 6).

“Overall, the children have been having fun but are also aware of the background of D-Day and know the events are held to commemorate, not celebrate, the 70th anniversary.

“The week started with two residents of the town coming to talk to the children, who had memories of D-Day as children themselves.

“We also had David Tucker from Lyme Regis Museum come and talk to the children about the history of D-Day.

“The site the school is now based was the site of the American camp for D-Day in Lyme, so the commemorations this week are particularly fitting.

“The children have also been learning how to dance along to the music of the time. We have even dug out our old 1940s school log books, which make for very interesting reading.”

D-Day highlights in Lyme Regis

Lyme Regis has been decorated red white and blue for the events and local businesses have each played their part in ideas for the celebrations.

Running until Sunday, June 8, highlights include a fly past by a World War Two aircraft, an outdoor commemorative service, a seafront military march with the Lyme Regis town band and the unveiling of a commemorative plaque.

The plaque, commissioned by the 16th Infantry Regiment Association to mark its special bond with the town, will be unveiled by the Mayor of Lyme Regis Cllr Sally Holman, on Sunday June 8.

It has been presented with a citation for Lyme Regis from Colonel Ralph Kauzlarich, Honorary Colonel of the 16th Infantry Regiment Association.

For more information about the D-Day events in Lyme, including a timetable of events, see our story here.