Armed Forces Day is returning to Caerphilly on the back of last year’s success, as the countdown to this year’s event was marked in style.
The 100 day countdown was officially launched yesterday (March 16) at Caerphilly Castle, which will form the backdrop to the parade and the main event.
The popular event will be held on Saturday June 24 and organisers are hoping to top the successful day in 2016 which say over 10,000 people take to the streets to show support for the Armed Forces community.
The day will begin with an parade through the streets of Caerphilly town centre at 11am, featuring hundreds of service personnel including representatives from the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force, as well as cadets and Armed Forces veterans. This will be followed by a special Drum Head Service at midday, held on Owain Glyndwr Playing Fields on Crescent Road, which will provide an opportunity for guests and visitors alike to remember those who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
Visitors will then be invited to an afternoon of fun at Owain Glyndwr Playing Fields, where the area will be taken over by an array of military and charity stands, demonstrations, an events arena, and a music stage.
Interim Chief Executive, Chris Burns, said: “It is fantastic news that the South Wales Armed Forces Day event will once again be hosted in Caerphilly. It is an honour to welcome the prestigious event following an overwhelmingly successful event last year.
“The day provides a unique opportunity for residents and visitors to come along and show their support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community.”
The event is organised by the South Wales Armed Forces Day committees and supported by Caerphilly County Borough Council.
Phil Hubbard, Chair of the South Wales Armed Forces Day Committee, said: “I am thrilled that Armed Forces Day South Wales will return to Caerphilly in 2017. This is an important annual event which has grown both in armed forces’, veterans’ and their families’ involvement and the support and attendance of the general public. Last year’s event exceeded our expectations and we’re grateful for the strong support from Caerphilly County Borough Council and our sponsors which helps to ensure the event goes ahead.
“2017 marks the 100-year anniversary of the Battle of Passchendaele and also 100 years since the Women’s Royal Naval Service (WRNS) was founded during the First World War, when the Royal Navy became the first of the three services to officially recruit women. It’s also the 35th anniversary of the Falkland war where more than 200 British Servicemen lost their lives. This year’s Armed Forces Day gives us much to commemorate.”
For more information on the event, follow Armed Forces Day South Wales on Facebook and @AFDSouthWales on Twitter or visit the website www.southwalesarmedforcesday.org.
A great event to show our appreciation for our armed forces. Happily on the anniversary of the date where it was announced that the UK was to leave the EU. If the British public had not voted to leave our servicemen and women would soon have to come under the command of the planned EU army.
Thankfully they have been spared that idea which is an attempt to weaken NATO and allow the unelected EU Commissioners to take ownership of British forces.