Photo call: 11am on Tuesday 29 April at the Weymouth Pavilion there will be an official launch of Weymouth and Portland Armed Forces Day Celebrations. Representatives of the borough council will be joined by, local veterans and serving personnel for photos and interviews
The Ministry of Defence has donated £10,000 to support the borough’s annual Armed Forces Day Celebrations which will take place from 21 to 27 June.
The celebrations will welcome thousands of veterans, residents and visitors to a packed programme of military and veterans commemorations and celebrations.
The borough’s biggest event will include a service of remembrance, a seafront veterans parade, displays and activities recognising the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I and the 70th anniversary of D-Day.
There will also be a beach assault and bridge building exercise, military vehicle convoy travelling from Weymouth Esplanade to Castletown on Portland. Castletown will be an ideal location for people to meet and greet the convoy on Saturday 21 June.
During the festival there will be a flypast by a historic WW II Spitfire plane and marching and performing bands will play.
The Band of HM Royal Marines, Plymouth will lead the Sunday parade.
Matt Ryan, Weymouth & Portland Borough Council Head of Tourism and Events, said: “This is excellent news for this high profile borough festival, a resounding success for the organising team, local veterans and the borough council. I would like to thank the Ministry of Defence for their continued support and generous grant.
“Veterans have made and continue to make a major contribution to our nation and the Weymouth and Portland Armed Forces Day Celebrations will provide a focus on the tireless work carried out by veterans associations, individuals and today’s military forces.”
