Isle of Wight chippies and pubs encouraged to support D-Day 80

Back for its ninth year, National Fish and Chip Day will recognise the huge importance of fish and chips during both world wars — and on D-Day, in particular.

To mark the occasion, The Old Fort pub in Seaview will be offering a fish and chip supper for just £16.50, to include a medium glass of wine, a pint of beer or a soft drink. 

At around 9 pm, to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day, a beacon will be lit opposite the pub, on the Esplanade, in Seaview. To reserve a table, call 612363.

The Old Fort in Seaview. (Image: The Old Fort)

Danny Ditton, the owner of Stotesburys fish and chip shop in Newport, is supporting D-Day 80 on National Fish and Chip Day. (Image: County Press) 

Fish and chips, considered to be the national British dish, were described by Winston Churchill as ‘good companions’ — ensuring they were not rationed to help keep up the nation's morale during the last war.

How is your local chippy and pub marking D-Day 80?

Let us know what your establishment will be doing to mark D-Day on National Fish and Chip Day, by emailing to: editor@iwcp.co.uk

Even more incredible is that during the D-day landings, soldiers who found themselves behind enemy lines at night, and who needed a way of telling whether someone nearby was a friend of foe, they devised a two-word code — one would call ‘fish’ and the other replied ‘chips’.

The British government safeguarded the supply of fish and potatoes during both world wars to ensure servicemen got fish and chips.

Here are some more Island establishments offering National Fish and Chip Day specials on the 80th anniversary of D-Day:

Stotesburys fish and chip shop in Nodehill, Newport — the oldest chippy on the Island — will be marking the occasion with the bunting up and offering a £7.50 fish and chip special (as long as stocks last).

The Vine Inn, St Helens (Image: Google Maps)

Meanwhile, the Vine Inn, in St Helens, will be running a two for £12 offer on light bite cod and chips — served between 12 noon and 3pm, then between 5pm and 9pm, as part of a day showing D-Day events live on the pub's big screen throughout the day, rounded off with a 1940s-inspired prize bingo from 7.30pm.

The White Lion pub in Arreton will be holding a community event from 6.30pm, offering a discounted fish and chip supper, with entertainment, including a wartime singalong, face painting, candy floss and a few stalls, with bell ringing at Arreton Parish Church.

"Very much looking forward to celebrating the day with our pensioners, those it means the most too," said a spokesperson for the White Lion.

Wootton's Terry's Fish & Chips will take take pre-orders and deliver to the Recreation Ground, where residents will commemorate the 80th anniversary by lighting a lamp of peace at 9.15pm.

Gary Lewis, president of the National Edible Oil Distributors Association (NEODA), founders of National Fish and Chip Day, said: “Because of the intrinsic links it has always had with the world wars and D-Day, we wanted to show our support.”