DVLR is pleased to invite York Normandy Veterans to a reception at Murton Park Station on Saturday 23rd May. Photographs from the Annual visit of York Normandy Veterans to DVLR on Sunday 15th September 2019. Once again Derwent Valley Light Railway had the privilege of a visit by the York Normandy Veterans. The engine headboard in the pictures had been created to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Normandy Landings. Here it is seen being presented to the 4 Normandy Veterans. Among the hospitalities provided for them was a train ride for them, their family members and friends. Ken Cooke rode in his engine accompanied by Beryl Nairn. They are pictured above in the cab of his engine, at the end of the ride. Beryl is a friend of the Veterans and an actor, who played in Bomb Happy, an emotive heart- tugging play by some York Normandy Veterans. It is reported that after every performance there was never a dry eye in the house. Above Tony and Glynnis Frith, owners of Rowntrees No.3, dedicated to Ken Cooke and Ken in the cab. The play, Bomb Happy, was performed for the enjoyment of audiences at the 2019 Edinburgh fringe. Link for yet more information: NEW TOUR FOR 2020 VE DAY 75th Anniversary Commemorative Tour – dates to be confirmed. Please check back or email everwitch@outlook.com for updates. Bomb Happy is now available in print: https://www.waterstones.com/book/bomb- happy/helena-fox/9780413778222 More details and pictures from the 15th September at DVLR can be seen on York Normandy Veterans’ own Facebook Page. See link just above the footer of this webpage. D-Day 75 at Bayeux War Cemetery. 6th June 2019. Ken Smith and Ken Cooke attending the meeting and service at Bayeux War Cemetery, Normandy, 6th June 2019, the 75th Anniversary of D-Day. The lives we lead today are owed to Ken Smith and Ken Cooke and all those brave combatants in the Normandy D-Day Landings, those who fell and those who lived. All were instrumental in together, changing the course of our World history. Thank you. In the picture above, taken on 19 June 2016, York Normandy Veterans (R to L): Ken ‘Smudger’ Smith, George ‘Merry’ Meredith, Albert ‘Bert’ Borritt, Ken ‘Cookey’ Cooke, Dennis ‘Hank’ Haydock. Derwent Valley Light Railway Society is proud of its associations with York Normandy Veterans and is delighted that once a year, York Normandy Veterans accept its invitation to play host to them, with a ride on the train followed by a buffet lunch. Last year, the event was on Father's Day 2016, On that occasion, Ruston Hornsby 88DS, Rowntree No3, was named Ken Cooke, after one of the Veterans who is an ex employee of Rowntree's and all the veterans were given honorary membership of the DVLR Society. More details: Click button after which you may need to scroll down the page a little: ”Bomb Happy,” York Normandy Veterans’ Play. The play, Bomb Happy, was about the Veterans’ life-changing experiences of the days during the invasion of Normandy, using the memories of the York Normandy Veterans. The play has ensured completion of their wishes that their experiences would not die with them. In Sept. 2016, Dennis Haydock passed away at the age of 92. In Sept. 2017, George Meredith also passed away, aged 92. The 2017 Yorkshire Tour was 6th October Helmsley Arts Centre 7.30pm 13th October Georgian Theatre Royal, Richmond 7.30pm 26th October Pocklington Arts Centre 7.30pm 10th November Square Chapel Arts Centre, Halifax 7pm 16th November Junction, Goole 2.30pm 24th November Otley Courthouse, Leeds 7.30pm Sunday 17 June 2018. Annual visit of York Normandy Veterans. Pictures from Fathers Day Event at DVLR, courtesy of Jonathan Stockwell. L-R: Douglas Petty, Ken Cooke, Bert Barritt and Ken Smith. Ken Cooke standing between Tony and Glynnis Frith. York Normandy Veterans Commemorate VE Day Tuesday 8 May 2018 A YouTube video by That’s York TV. See Ken Smith at Murton Swapmeet on 21st Jan. 2018. Hear about bicycles on D- Day. Click >> York Normandy Veterans on their own Facebook page.