Huge emblem painted on grass for 80th anniversary of invasion

A GIANT emblem was painted on the grass in Mill Meadow, Henley, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day on Thursday.

The image, which reads
“D-DAY, 80, 1944”, is 65ft wide and 100ft tall.

It was created by a pre-programmed robot using GPS technology and white paint. The idea came from photographer and videographer Richard Pinches, 59, who runs Meadow Farm studios in Marlow Road and is the Henley Poppy Appeal organiser.

He was commissioned by Henley Town Council to create the King’s Cypher at the same location for the coronation last May and also created a giant red poppy to mark Remembrance Sunday in November. The D-Day artwork was painted by Simon Hughes, of Origin Amenity Solutions, free of charge.

Mr Pinches said: “Simon’s company supplies these GPS robots for sports field marking and he’s able to input various other designs, although they are a bit limited.

“I was able to work with him on the D-Day 80 design without it being too complicated so the robot was able to handle it. It is painted with environmentally friendly white paint. It won’t last forever but while it’s there children can use the lines as a play area, which I’ve already seen.

“I hope that if they don’t know the meaning of it they can ask their parents who will hopefully enlighten them. I simply want to raise awareness of those who served and those that lost their lives on that momentous day 80 years ago.”

Mr Pinches will be selling commemorative D-Day pins in the town centre on Thursday and Saturday on behalf of the Royal British Legion.

He said: “It is about marking the day and raising awareness.”