A SPECIAL event is set to take place next month to pay tribute to the local Armed Forces community in Victoria Park.
Members of the public, community groups and families are invited to pack a picnic and head down to the borough’s green flag award-winning park in Windle for St Helens Armed Forces Day – a popular annual attraction, with this year’s celebration held on on Saturday, June.22.
The day will get underway with a parade made up of veterans, serving members of the armed forces and cadets - before a packed programme of entertainment gets underway, featuring a 69-field gun WWII artillery display and drumming routines from the North West Corps of Drums and The Royal Marine Association Corps of Drums.
Other attractions on the day will include vintage military vehicles; WWII field hospital display; children’s funfair; classic cars - as well as the brilliant Anna The Golden Age Songbird who will perform a number of famous wartime hits from the bandstand.
In 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.
Encouraging residents to attend, Councillor Jeanette Banks, Mayor of St Helens Borough, said: “Armed Forces Day is one of the most important days on our calendar as we show our appreciation on a local level 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 events like this which always proves to be a real crowd pleaser - one I’m very much looking forward to attending in my capacity as Mayor of St Helens Borough as we celebrate and thank our local Armed Forces community for their dedicated loyal service."
St Helens Armed Forces Day will take place in Victoria Park between 11am to 4pm on Saturday, June 22.
To find what support is available in St Helens Borough for members of the Armed Forces, visit: www.sthelens.gov.uk/armedforces
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