Week of events to honour armed forces

Large crowds are expected in Kingswood to cheer members of the armed forces when a parade is held as part of a new national event.

The first Armed Forces Day takes place on Saturday, June 27, with South Gloucestershire hosting a series of events in the week leading up to the march.

A ceremony at 10.30am on Monday will see South Gloucestershire Council chairwoman Shirley Holloway joined by the Women's Auxiliary Corps for a Flying of the Flag event at Kingswood Civic Centre.

Members of the Bristol Pipe and Drum Band will play and it is also hoped members of the public will go along to help launch the special week.

On Monday evening, a former member of the Gurkha regiment will give a talk in Kingswood library at 7.30pm.

Armed Forces Day itself will feature a parade of armed forces, veterans, a marching band and military vehicles.

It starts at noon in Kings Chase Shopping Centre and will go along Regent Street before reaching Kingswood Park, where there will be a programme of activities including demonstrations by the Territorial Army and community groups.

A special veterans badge will also be handed out to former servicemen and women as part of the celebrations.

The week comes to a close with a Drumhead Service in Staple Hill on Sunday, June 28, to be led by Canon Roy Harrison, chaplain of the Staple Hill branch of the Royal British Legion.

A drumhead service is a tradition involving soldiers in the field, unable to attend chapels or churches on Sunday, who lay their drums down, consecrate them by laying their standards on them and use them as an altar.

A parade led by the Royal Marines will assemble in Page Road at 2pm before advancing on to Page Park.

It will finish at the British Legion premises.