Armed Forces Day
City Centre event commemorates national celebration
(Date of issue: Monday, 13 June 2011)
An event to commemorate Armed Forces Day, a national celebration
of the UK's Armed Forces - past, present and future - will be held
in Carlisle’s city centre pedestrianised area on Saturday, 25
June.
Organised by a large working party of military organisations,
including the Royal British Legion, with support from Carlisle City
Council, it will be held from 10am onwards. This year’s event
coincides with a series of Roman themed activities planned as part
of the launch of the new Roman Frontier Gallery at Tullie House.
These will link in with Armed Forces Day and will include comparing
the modern day soldier with their Roman counterpart.
The Armed Forces Day event will also include a display of
vintage military vehicles and aero-engines, an inflatable scud
missile from RAF Spadeadam and stalls from various military
organisations. Music will be provided by The Royal Signals
(Northern) Band and the Border Brass Band.
The Royal Signals (Northern) Band is one of 19 Territorial Army
Bands based in the United Kingdom and it’s a real coup to have them
involved in Carlisle’s Armed Forces event. The band currently has
28 male and female musicians and draws its members from ex-regular
forces and civilians from all walks of life. Many of the ex-regular
band members have seen operational service in Northern Ireland and
in both Gulf Wars. In addition to performing in the city centre,
they will also be leading the Roman Army and Emperor from Tullie
House into the city centre at 11am.
Organisations represented on Armed Forces Day, will include:
branches of the Royal British Legion; Royal Air Force Spadeadam;
the Carlisle Armed Forces Careers office; Border Regiment Museum;
Help for Heroes; Royal Artillery Association; the Royal Air Force
Association; Nepalese Gurkha Association of Carlisle and the Solway
Aviation Society.
Carlisle cadets will carry out drill practices throughout the
day before competing against each other from 3pm onwards. They will
be judged by the Mayor of Carlisle, Cllr Barry Earp, who will also
be involved in presenting a Citation of Appreciation, at 4pm, to
the most senior armed forces officer in Cumbria, Wing Commander
Graeme Davis, Officer Commanding, RAF Spadeadam and also the
Presentation of Veterans’ Badges to four members of the Gurkha
Regiment.
The Royal British Legion will also be offering refreshments in
the Old Town Hall throughout the day. Funds raised on the day will
be donated to the Royal British Legion, who is celebrating their
90th anniversary this year.
Rev Bob Batson, Royal British Legion, said:
“The purpose of Armed Forces Day is to celebrate what our
veterans have already achieved, what our current personnel continue
to achieve, and the opportunities the Armed Forces offer our future
generations. The display of the Armed Forces Day Flag will send out
a clear message that will be appreciated by all our service
personnel, past, present and future.”
In addition to holding events, the MOD is also encouraging
councils, businesses and homes across the country to show their
support for our Armed Forces by flying a special flag celebrating
Armed Forces Day.
A formal flag-raising ceremony will take place outside the Old
Town Hall on Monday 20 June at 12noon ahead of the events on
Saturday, 25 June. The flag-raising will be attended by the Mayor
of Carlisle,, Cllr Barry Earp; President of The Royal British
Legion (Carlisle & Stanwix Branch), Major Jos Mark; Pipe Major
S L Mowbray; youngsters from local army, air and sea cadet units,
plus school children from local secondary schools. A member of the
Army Cadets will raise the flag.
A flag-lowering ceremony will also be held on Saturday 25 June
at 4pm. Attendees will include: the Mayor of Carlisle, Cllr Barry
Earp; Wing Commander Graeme Davis, Officer Commanding, RAF
Spadeadam; Parade Marshall, Flight Lieutenant Brian White;
President of the Royal British Legion (Carlisle & Stanwix
Branch), Major Jos Mark, and youngsters from local army, air and
sea cadet units. The flag will be lowered by a member of the Sea
Cadets. The Royal Signals (Northern) Band will then lead a
procession of cadets, service and ex-service personnel from the
city centre to Carlisle Castle for a Sunset Ceremony.
For further information about Armed Forces Day visit www.armedforcesday.org.uk