A MAJOR event for families will be held in a St Helens park to celebrate the local Armed Forces community.

St Helens Borough Council will pay tribute to the forces this June at a special event in Victoria Park.

People of St Helens are invited to turn out

Members of the public, community groups and families are again invited to come along to the borough’s green flag award-winning park in Windle.

It is part of St Helens Armed Forces Day – a popular annual attraction, with this year’s event forming part of Borough of Culture celebrations.

The day will get underway with a parade made up of veterans, serving members of the armed forces and cadets.

A packed programme of entertainment will then underway, featuring a 69-field gun Second World artillery display and performances from 103 Regiment Lancashire Artillery Pipe and Drum and the North West Royal Marines Association Corps of Drums.

St Helens Star: The parade in 2019The parade in 2019 (Image: St Helens Council)

Other attractions on the day will include current and vintage military vehicles; stalls; children’s funfair; classic cars, as well as variety of performers at the bandstand, such as ‘The Golden Age Songbird' and St Helens Music Service music ensembles.

In the St Helens borough, 6,036 household have at least one person who has served in the UK armed forces, working out at 7.5 per cent of all households which is above the England and Wales average.

St Helens Star: A youngster has her face paint at 2019's Armed Forces DayA youngster has her face paint at 2019's Armed Forces Day (Image: St Helens Council)

 

One of the best events in our calendar

Mayor of St Helens, Councillor Lynn Clarke – who is also the council’s Armed Forces Champion – said: “Armed Forces Day is one of the biggest and best events on our calendar as we show our appreciation to those who have given their all for our freedom and safety – and salute the fantastic local organisations that provide vital support for veterans and their families.

“As a council we are committed to supporting and honouring our Armed Forces personnel, past and present, which is evident through a number of initiatives, including our annual Armed Forces Day event - which always proves to be a crowd-pleaser; Remembrance Sunday services – and recently awarding Freedom of the Borough to The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, the Army division for St Helens Borough.”

Councillor Clarke added: “It’s a great honour to serve as Mayor of St Helens Borough this year while carrying out my duties as Armed Forces Champion, which is why I have introduced the role of 'Mayor's Cadet' which will see two local young people attending a cadet programme accompany me to related events – such as Armed Forces Day – which is sure to be a fantastic occasion as we salute our local heroes while celebrating the very best of St Helens during our year as Borough of Culture.”

St Helens Armed Forces Day will take place in Victoria Park between 11am and 4pm on Saturday, June 17.