Historic connections of Trebah Garden and the Budock Vean Hotel with World War II's D-Day Embarkations make for poignant settings in June to commemorate the major events on Cornwall's Helford River 75 years ago.

Trebah's Military Day will see war veterans and visitors gathering on the beach on Saturday June 2 to celebrate and remember the 7,500 American servicemen of the 29th Infantry Division who embarked on landing-craft bound for the Normandy Beaches and the D-Day landings.

Then from June 11 – 15 Trebah is hosting an epic promenade drama around the world-famous ravine garden and beach – Operation Neptune – sponsored by the nearby Budock Vean Hotel which was itself requisitioned back in 1944 in the run-up to the D-Day embarkations and where officers held regular tea dances.

Operation Neptune's award-winning script-writer Charlotte O'Leary and acclaimed lead actor Oliver Longstaff, who is coming over from the US, are being hosted by the Budock Vean during the week of the show – a performance based on the true stories of American servicemen who left from Trebah's beach and the local residents of Mawnan Smith and the surrounding area who witnessed it.

A special tribute to the armed forces sees a limited edition offer for current and ex-service personnel of 15% off bed and breakfast or dinner, bed and breakfast at the Budock Vean, plus tickets to the show, for those who can prove their eligibility and who quote “Operation Neptune” when booking.

Trebah's wider programme of anniversary events – Operation Overlord – involves participation of the entire community including schools, singers, artists and film-makers whose work will be show-cased around the gardens.

“When you look at the beautiful, quiet Helford River today it's hard to imagine the waters and beaches, banks and roads swarming with landing craft, vehicles and thousands upon thousands of military personnel,” say the Budock Vean's Martin Barlow. “It's a moving thought at any time but with the big anniversaries it's more important than ever for all of us – young and old – never to forget these momentous events.”

The Budock Vean, just a few minutes along the road from Trebah and set in its own sub-tropical gardens on the Helford, is the ideal spot from which visitors of all ages can immerse themselves in this historic occasion. For full details, including terms and conditions for the 15% discount to current and ex-service personnel please see  www.budockvean.co.uk/offers/d-day-75

For more please see http://www.budockvean.co.uk   or call 01326 252100. For tickets and information on Trebah 75th Anniversary of D-Day events visit http://www.trebahgarden.co.uk/dday

ENDS

Notes to Editors

• Images which are free to use are:-
• b/w Convoy outside Red Lion, Mawnan Smith, near Trebah, 1944
• b/w - landing craft on Trebah Beach, May 1944
• Veterans on Trebah Beach
• Aerial of Budock Vean and the “secret” Helford
• Trebah Gardens

• The Budock Vean and Trebah Garden's joint offer is 15%* off a b&b or db&b stay during the period of Operation Neptune including a ticket to the show for current and ex service personnel. 
• Quote: “operation Neptune” when booking.
  *15% represents average discount.
• T&Cs apply: The Budock Vean will need to check eligibility for this offer so applicants will need to have ready their MoD 90 service cards if currently serving, or their old service number and branch of the Armed Forces served in and regiment/Corps/Ship/bases served with. A photo in uniform or letter of commendation would also be ok. The offer is valid for 2 people sharing a room, with a ticket each to the play. The Budock Vean has 10 places (5 double / twin rooms) on this offer per night over the 5 night run of the play. Please see budockvean.co.uk/offers/d-day-75 for full details or call the team on 01326 252100.
• The Budock Vean Hotel is a family run four star country house hotel which also has a 1920's designed James Braid golf course, a spectacular indoor swimming pool with log fire, sauna, outdoor hot tub, spa, tennis courts, private foreshore and award winning restaurant specialising in best Cornish produce. The hotel's 65 acres of sub-tropical gardens running down to the Helford River are set amid some of the most beautiful natural coastal and river scenery in the country.
  For more please see budockvean.co.uk

Contacts:-

• Budock Vean Hotel – Marketing Manager Nicky Miller - 01326 252112 - management@budockvean.co.uk or
• Trebah Garden – Jonathan Bray – 01326 252200 - jonathan@trebah-garden.co.uk
• Louise Midgley Communications – 01326 319884 / 07831 696093 - louise@midgleycomms.co.uk