Rotherham will come together again to say thank you to its armed forces community next week (19-24 June).
The celebrations begin on Monday, 19 June when the Armed Forces Day flag is raised at a ceremony outside Rotherham Town Hall and Rotherham Minster. The flags will be raised by the Mayor of Rotherham, Councillor Robert Taylor and Frazer Avill, Chief Petty Officer, Rotherham Sea Cadets.
The flags will remain flying for the run-up to the Armed Forces Day event in Rotherham Town Centre on Saturday, 24 June (10am to 12noon).
This year’s event in Rotherham Town Centre will include a military parade, led by Nottinghamshire Pipes & Drums, followed by a parade inspection, Act of Worship and speeches, concluding with musical performances from Nottinghamshire Pipes & Drums and singer, Paul Hawksworth. Armed Forces related stalls will be located on Effingham Street throughout the event.
Visitors on the day can take advantage of free Saturday parking in all the Council’s town centre off-street car parks (excluding Clifton Park and Museum car parks) to visit the event, as well as enjoy shopping and leisure activities around the centre.
Event Timetable:
10.20am – Parade moves off from College Street
10.35am – Parade Inspection
10.50am – Act of Worship & Speeches
11.10am – Nottinghamshire Pipes & Drums performance
11.25am – Live performance by Paul Hawksworth
12noon – Event closes
The Mayor of Rotherham, Councillor Robert Taylor said: “Rotherham has a long and proud history of supporting the armed forces community and I feel privileged to be leading our borough’s events on Armed Forces Day.
“It’s wonderful to see Rotherham pay tribute to our armed forces community, and that it is so well supported by people from across the borough. Armed Forces Day is always a highlight in the Rotherham calendar and I am sure 2023 will be no different.”
Armed Forces Champion, Councillor Keenan added: "We’re really proud that Rotherham is home to one of the biggest Armed Forces celebrations in the region. Armed Forces Day is a great opportunity for us to all come together to remember and thank those who have fought for our country as well as showing our support for those currently serving.
“But it’s not just about supporting our armed forces community on one day. The Rotherham Armed Forces Community Covenant is promise to those who serve, or who have served, and their families which says we will do all we can to ensure they are treated fairly and are not disadvantaged by their service in their day-to-day lives.”
For more information on the support available for armed forces community in Rotherham see our Armed Forces website.