Celebrating our Armed Forces
A DAY of celebration was held in Loughborough on Saturday, June 24, to mark Armed Forces Day.
Loughborough Salutes the Armed Forces was organised by Charnwood Borough Council and saw a number of military vehicles and equipment on display, face painting, and a host of activities in the town centre.
Visitors looked around a number of stalls in the Market Place offering information, advice and support to serving personnel and veterans.
Hilary Fryer, cabinet member for leisure and open spaces, said: “Today has been a fantastic event and a chance for us to really show our support for our serving military personnel and our veterans.
“I’d like to thank everyone who has supported today’s event and helped us to recognise the dedication and commitment shown by our armed forces.”
Military vehicles were on display by the 158 Regiment of The Royal Logistics Corps. The regiment is part of the Army Reserve Transport Regiment which is based across the East of England and provides transport support for 7 Regiment of The Royal Logistics Corps.
There were stalls in the Market Place from a number of organisations including armed forces charity SSAFA, the Royal British Legion, the Defence Discount Scheme and the Defence National Rehabilitation Centre which is being constructed at Stanford Hall, just over the border in Nottinghamshire.
Susan Grogan, advice and information officer at the Leicestershire Royal British Legion, said: “Today has been a fantastic opportunity to connect with veterans and their families who didn’t know that they can come to us for advice on what support is available to them.
“It’s been a great day and I’m really pleased to see an event which is not only supporting serving personnel, but also their families and veterans.”
Charnwood Armed Forces Veterans’ Breakfast Club also got involved by serving tea and coffee alongside the stalls in Market Place in return for donations.
As part of the celebrations the Loughborough BID signed an Armed Forces Corporate Covenant pledge which reinforced their commitment to support the Armed Forces community, and encouraged other Loughborough businesses and organisations to do the same. Charnwood Borough Council signed the Community Covenant pledge in 2013.
Mayor of Charnwood, Coun Pauline Ranson, said: “We are delighted that the Loughborough BID has agreed to adopt the Covenant commitment.
“I’d like to thank everyone who came along today and to our Armed Forces for their hard work and dedication.”