BICKNOLLER villager Dee Day will come into her own next week when the village marks the 65th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Europe.

Dee, a former PA for a housing association in Hertfordshire, retired to the village just over two years ago with her husband Philip.

And the aptness of her name has not been lost on the Quantock branch of the Royal British Legion, of which she is a member.

Dee will be helping with the catering at an illustrated talk on the events surrounding the invasion to end all invasions, whose success helped turn the tide towards victory for the Allies in World War Two.

Graham High, who will be presenting The Dice are on the Carpet - one of the coded sentences used to keep French resistance workers in the know in the run-up to D-Day - said Dee's involvement would add a special touch to the event.

"There can't be many RBL branches who have their own Dee Day," he said.

But for Dee the jokes are just history - or at least they have been for the past 43 years of marriage.

"I've heard all the usual jokes over the years and I've just learned to smile," she said.

"I don't really mind and it is obviously very fitting for this special event."

The village hall will be decked out with the flags of the Allied forces for the talk next Friday, which will include a buffet supper and a raffle.

The event is already a sell-out, with all 100 tickets being snapped up and a waiting list set up.

Graham, a retired solicitor, said the response had been tremendous.

"We know we have raised £1,000 so far and all the proceeds will be going to the RBL's county welfare fund."

Photo:

Steve Guscott