Residents and visitors gathered in Carlisle city centre on Saturday (27 June) to mark Armed Forces Day, with a well-attended event celebrating the contribution of the UK’s Armed Forces – past, present and future.
Organised by Cumberland Council, with support from local armed forces organisations and partners, the event transformed the pedestrianised area into a vibrant hub of activity between 10am and 4pm. A wide range of organisations from across the armed forces community were on hand to engage with the public, share information and showcase their work.
Those taking part included the Cumbria Museum of Military Life, Cumbria Army Cadet Force, Royal British Legion, SSAFA Cumbria branch, Cumbria Police, Age UK North Cumbria, the Armed Forces Careers Office Carlisle, The RAF Association, the Solway Aviation Society, The Military Vehicle Trust, RAF Spadeadam, Carlisle United Sports Trust, Sport In Action and Cumberland Council, among others.
Visitors enjoyed a full programme of entertainment throughout the day, including live music from the Border Concert Band.
The event formed part of the wider Armed Forces Week commemorations, which began earlier in the week with a flag-raising ceremony at the Old Town Hall. The Chair of Cumberland Council, Councillor Andy Semple, spoke at the flag raising ceremony, reaffirming the council’s continued commitment to supporting members of the Armed Forces community.
The week of activity concluded on Armed Forces Day with a formal flag-lowering ceremony attended by civic representatives including the Mayor of Carlisle, Anne Glendinning, Deputy Lieutenant, Mrs Tess Hart DL, the Vice Chair of Cumberland Council, Councillor Gillian Troughton and the President of the Royal British Legion (Carlisle and Stanwix branch), bringing a close to the commemorations.
Thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of the event, particularly the organisations that took part and the volunteers who helped on the day. Special thanks were also given to Roxane UK for donating 200 bottles of spring water to help keep attendees and participants refreshed throughout the day.
Armed Forces Day continues to be an important opportunity for communities to come together and show their support for those who serve, or have served, in the Armed Forces, as well as their families.
Across Cumberland, communities also came together to mark Armed Forces Week with a range of local events and activities including Workington and Maryport.
For more information about Armed Forces Day, visit https://www.armedforcesday.org.uk.
Photo Credit: Stuart Walker