08/01/2024: Breckland Council launches grant schemes ahead of 80th anniversary of D-Day

Breckland Council has launched two new grants schemes to help local groups commemorate the upcoming 80th anniversary of D-Day.

A total of £25,000 is being made available to support events which bring together Breckland communities and mark the historic event. The Normandy landings in June 1944 - known as D-Day - began the liberation of France and made possible the Allied victory of World War II.

Breckland Council's D-Day 80 Community Grant Scheme will make up to £500 grants available to help eligible groups and organisations to hold events and commemorative activities for Breckland residents. The grants can be used to help fund costs such as food and refreshments, decorations, entertainment, equipment, activity materials, displays, insurance, venue hire, and marketing costs.

A separate D-Day 80 Beacon Match-Funding scheme has also been launched and will make grants of up to £300 available for local town and parish councils. The 50% match-funding will help support organisers to purchase beacons for town or parish council land, or with the agreement of the landowner. Beacons have come to be a symbol of togetherness at key moments of national significance.

Cllr Tristan Ashby, Breckland Council's Executive Member for Health and Communities, said: "D-Day was one of the most important military operations to the western Allies' success during World War II and these grants provide a great opportunity for communities to get together and commemorate the historic occasion. We have seen great success with our previous community grants and I look forward to seeing what events our D-Day 80 funding can help support."

. Applications close on 23 February.