Armed Forces week

inSwindon’s Armed Forces Family Funday

Swindon is gearing up for an extended celebration of Armed Forces Day which will involve veterans, supporters of servicemen and families alike.

Saturday, June 27 2009, has been set aside for this annual national event, which recognises the work of all of the UK’s Armed Forces past and present, but the town is one of its biggest supporters, with the event spilling over into a week-long celebration, supported by inSwindon, the town centre Business Improvement District company.

 

Armed Forces Week: inSwindon's Armed Forces week

The day itself will see a Family Funday in Swindon town centre and at Faringdon Road Park, but during the week there will also be ceremonies, a parade, a gala dinner and even a special commemorative beer, made by local brewers Arkell’s.

“We are delighted to do our bit to support this great annual celebration," commented Simon Jackson, chief executive of inSwindon.

 

"People in the Swindon area have shown themselves to be very supportive of our Armed Forces and the work they do, and of course many people here have friends or family who are in the forces at the moment, so we are confident they are going to help us make it an Armed Forces Day to remember.” 

Main events:

Monday, June 22:
Fly a Flag for our Armed Forces.
A ceremony to officially begin the celebrations with the raising of a specially commissioned flag, taking place at the Civic Offices, Euclid Street, Swindon, at 10.30am.

Wednesday, June 24:
Retailer Veterans Badge Ceremony.
Veterans working in the retail industry in Swindon are being invited to a ceremony in which they will be presented with a badge by the Mayor of Swindon, at Wharf Green, at 11am.

Friday, June 26:
Gala Dinner.
With guest speaker Chris Moon MBE at Menzies Hotel, Fleming Way, Swindon, including a charity auction in aid of Help for Heroes.

Saturday, June 27:
Family Fun Day (11am-5pm).
A full day of activities in Swindon town centre and at Faringdon Road Park, including a motorcycle display team and birds of prey demonstrations, stalls, human table football, fairground rides, an assault course and a Volunteer Cadet Corps field gun run competition.

Wharf Green in the town centre will host an assault course and climbing wall, whilst The Parade will feature a giant spaceball.

Admission for all of Saturday’s activities is free however charges will apply for fairground rides.

Sunday, June 28:
Military Parade.
A parade from Granville Street and along Commercial Road to Wharf Green, featuring The Waterloo Band of Rifles, a male choir, bugler and piper, with the parade forming at 2.30pm for a service and prayers at 3pm.