| 21 May 2009
Rally the troops for Armed Forces Day
Scarborough, officially the most enterprising place in Europe and the most English town in Great Britain is staging what is believed to be the fifth largest Armed Forces Day event in England and the only major event in North Yorkshire. This dedicated event is being held to commemorate and celebrate the first national Armed Forces Day on Saturday 27 June from 12 noon until 5.30pm in Scarborough's South Bay.
The Armed Forces Day is a huge national initiative, which honours the exceptional commitment and dedication made by current members of the Armed Forces and by veterans of all ages. The day will be an opportunity for everyone to join together to pay tribute to our Armed Forces, past, present and future.
Speaking at the launch of Armed Forces Day in January, Kevan Jones, Under Secretary of State for Defence and Minister for Veterans, said:
"Our Armed Forces and veterans rightly deserve the nation's support and recognition. They, and their families, have made and continue to make huge personal sacrifices to ensure the interests of our country are defended, and this day is our chance to say thank you.”
The centrepiece of the celebrations on 27 June will be the historic dockyard at Chatham, Kent, but there are dozens of events organised around the country to show appreciation for Her Majesty's Forces with major celebrations taking place in Cardiff, Glasgow, Blackpool, Portsmouth, Nottingham, Southend, Edinburgh, Caernarfon, Birmingham, Manchester, Stirling, Plymouth as well as Scarborough.
Following a financial contribution awarded by the Ministry of Defence further activities and details have now been revealed for the event being held in Scarborough.
Scarborough's West Pier will be transformed into a military patrol base named 'Patrol Base Fishbone', complete with L118 (105mm) light guns, a Lynx Attack helicopter, and a Cobra Air Defence System display team. The 'Black Lanyards' parachute display team is also expected to make an appearance when they 'drop-in' onto the South Bay Beach.
A formal presentation will kick-start the event at the Patrol Base (West Pier) where veterans will be officially presented with their Veteran Badges. Throughout the afternoon various activities are planned including a Tug of War competition, an abseil from the lighthouse and several parades along Foreshore Road by The Band of The Scots Guards (who were released from Buckingham Palace Guard to attend) and the Yorkshire Volunteers Band. One of Scarborough's largest parades to date is planned to close the day's celebrations at 4.30pm followed by a service of thanks at Scarborough's Lifeboat House.
The event will also include climbing towers, a paintball range, Armed Forces information points, various military vehicles, vintage air raid shelters and a fully operational field hospital.
Captain Tony Viney, from the 2nd Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) the military co-ordinator for this year's event said:
"As a serving member of the Armed Forces it is great to see a national event taking place supporting the work we do for our country. We're hoping Scarborough's event will be massive and that local residents as well as visitors to the town will show their support."
Brian Bennett, Scarborough Borough Council's Head of Tourism and Culture added:
"Scarborough is delighted to be hosting this event, which is one of the many national events being held, we would like to see the Armed Forces Day become an annual event here in the town."
For more information about Scarborough's event please visit Scarborough Borough Council's website, www.scarborough.gov.uk or the official Armed Forces website, www.armedforcesday.org.uk. Alternatively contact the Tourism Bureau on 01723 383636.
For further details about the Heroes Welcome scheme, which was first launched in Scarborough and supports Armed Forces personnel by giving discounts, service upgrades or special acknowledgement please visit http://www.heroeswelcome.co.uk
For media enquiries contact: Emma Davies, Communications and Marketing Assistant, Tel 01723 232419 or email emma.davies@scarborough.gov.uk
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