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Honouring the forces in Kingswood

Monday, June 29, 2009, 07:00

Crowds turned out to support servicemen and women this weekend to mark the first national Armed Forces Day.

Those who risk their lives for their country were also joined by veterans, former members of the Gurkha regiment, military vehicles and even a motorbike- riding branch of the Royal British Legion for the march to Kingswood Park.

The event replaces Veterans Day, and the Kingswood parade on Saturday was one of many held nationwide to honour the contribution of the armed forces.

A similar parade was held in Staple Hill yesterday.

South Gloucestershire Council chairwoman Shirley Holloway presented Veterans Badges to former servicemen and women.

She said: "We were delighted to show our support for the services."

A sunny afternoon brought out families, and they wandered around stalls run by the Territorial Army and organisations such as the War Widows Association, Bristol Normandy Veterans and air cadets.

● To see more pictures from the parade visit www.thisisbristol.co.uk.

Honouring the forces

 

   




Kingswood

In the 18th century Kingswood was a small coal mining village where George Whitefield's open-air preaching greatly influenced John Wesley in the founding of Methodism. The construction of a number of chapels, Tabernacle and schools by Whitefield, Wesley, and their associates and followers is held to be one of the factors contributing to Kingswood's growth.
Coal mining first brought the Kingswood area to industrial prominence in the late 17th century.
The Douglas Motorcycle Company started making drain covers and lamp posts in but in 1907 the Kingswood company fitted a unique horizontal twin-cyclinder engine into a standard cycle frame.
The first model was primitive but by 1910 Douglas were racing and was the start of the company's 20-year domination of the sport. By 1923 Douglas motorcycles held 150 British and world records.

Population   62,700
OS grid ref   ST649748
District   South Gloucestershire
Postcode   BS15
Dialing code   0117
Police   Avon and Somerset
Fire   Avon
Ambulance   Great Western
Euro Parlilament   South West England
UK Parliament   Kingswood













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