Armed Forces Day in Reading - 27 June

Armed Forces Day in Reading will be marked with a free event taking place in Forbury Gardens on Sunday 27th June. Reading Borough Council has organised a host of events which will take place from midday until 5pm.

Armed Forces Day (formerly Veterans’ Day) was launched in 2006 to honour Britain’s armed forces past, present and future and is a celebration of the achievements of the armed forces, who live and work in our communities.

The Band of the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers will begin proceedings and perform from the bandstand in the Forbury Gardens from midday until 1pm. Dame Vera Lynn tribute act Diane James will then take to the stage, followed by Reading Central Band of the Salvation Army.

There will be face-painting, balloon modelling and a climbing wall to entertain younger visitors to the event. People are welcome to bring along a picnic, so they can sit back and enjoy the atmosphere. To compliment the activities and entertainment, the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers will host a static vehicle display in Broad Street, while the Band of the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers will perform from 2pm-2.30pm on The Oracle Riverside and from 3pm-3.30pm in Broad Street. Reading’s Armed Forces Day celebrations culminate at the Gardens at 4pm in an Armed Forces veterans badge presentation.

I will be there in uniform as it is one of the few occasions when it is appropriate to attend a public Council organised event in uniform.

Up and down the country, towns and cities will fly the flag for our armed forces. Reading’s flag will be flown from the Civic Centre from Monday June 21st to Sunday, June 27th.

The Broad Street Mall will mark Armed Forces Day on Saturday 26 June the date of the main national day this year. Fundraisers from the Royal British Legion and the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers will be in the centre from 10am-4pm. Also on June 26th, from 7.30am-8pm the Royal Berkshire Army Cadet Force mark the 150th anniversary of the Cadet Forces by taking on a triple challenge in Broad Street. Go and see them in Broad Street as they attempt to climb up and abseil down Mount Everest, row across the English Channel and back again and then cycle from John O’Groats to Lands End all in one day. All monies raised will go to the Army Benevolent Fund.

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