Armed Forces Day celebrations

The Armed Forces Day flag

The borough is preparing to join towns and cities across the UK this month in celebration of national Armed Forces Day.

Activities take place on the days running up to Armed Forces Day (Saturday 27 June), celebrating the UK’s armed forces – past and present.

To mark the build-up to the special day, flag-raising events will be held in Heywood, Rochdale, Middleton, Milnrow and Littleborough.

The Heywood 1940s Day return with entertainment and family activities across the town including re-enactments, military exhibits including tanks, vintage vehicles, a parade, live music and much more. There will also be a service at Heywood Memorial Gardens to commemorate the massacre of 22 British troops in Aden in June 1967.

The Royal British Legion, friends and community groups are hosting ‘Poppy Picnics’ – raising money for the Legion's important work. There will be family picnics in parks across the borough together with fun activities for children.

The paved walk around Rochdale Memorial Gardens will be named ‘RSM James Clark VC Walk’ during a short ceremony.

A memorial stone to mark the centenary of the Gallipoli campaign which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of local soldiers will be unveiled in Rochdale Memorial Gardens. A parade will form at the Rochdale Market site and march along Baillie Street on to Yorkshire Street before arriving at Rochdale Cenotaph for a service. The parade will comprise the King’s Division Band, serving members of the Armed Forces, veterans and cadets from across the borough.

The renowned King’s Division Band will play a concert at Rochdale Town Hall to raise funds for the ABF Soldiers’ charity which helps thousands of soldiers, former soldiers and their families in need each year.

Armed Forces Day and the events leading up to it help raise public awareness of the contribution made by those who serve and have served in Her Majesty's Armed Forces and gives the nation an opportunity to show support for the men and women who make up the ex-services community.

Councillor Alan McCarthy, Lead Member for the Armed Forces, said: “I am pleased to see a week of activities taking place to celebrate Armed Forces Day. We have a fine programme of events and activities and I hope to see people of all ages enjoying them.”

Times and dates of all the events can be found in the Rochdale Online Events Diary:

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/