The Leader of Medway Council discusses Medway's Armed Forces Day celebrations in his latest message to residents.
Dear residents,
The summer months are now upon us and I hope you have all been safely enjoying the warm weather.
This Saturday (25 June) we will host Medway’s Armed Forces Day celebrations at The Great Lines Heritage Park in Gillingham between 11am and 5pm.
We are incredibly proud of Medway’s rich military history and our towns have been home to armed forces personnel for hundreds of years. There are reminders of our military history across Medway - the fortifications towering above Chatham, Chatham Historic Dockyard, our universities housed in the former HMS Pembroke, the former Naval Ammunition Depot at Upnor, and not forgetting Brompton Barracks, headquarters and home to the Corp of Royal Engineers.
This year’s will be Medway’s 13th Armed Forces Day event and will mark the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War. We will also continue our recognition of Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee at Saturday’s celebrations.
The Falklands campaign had great significance in Medway, as many of you may know, the civilian workforce at Chatham Dockyard worked tirelessly to prepare ships and stores in support of the fleet. The Royal Engineer units deployed during the conflict also played a prominent role and every Sapper had, at one time, served with units based in Medway.
Earlier this week the Armed Forces Day flag was flown at our headquarters at Gun Wharf in recognition of the hard work of our armed forces, as well as their dedication, and efforts to keep us safe.
We are very much looking forward to this year’s event on Saturday – there will be fun for all the family with a military parade, helicopters on display, bandstand concerts, fun fair, a climbing tower with the Kent Army Cadets and much more.
Residents will also be able to take part in Royal Engineer activities including obstacle courses, digger driving, mini-bridge building and bricklaying and look at a military bridge building display.
Our fantastic Armed Forces Day celebrations support our aspirations for Medway to become a child-friendly city, providing more opportunities for children and young people.
I would encourage residents to come along and show their support for our armed forces.
Medway’s Armed Forces Day celebrations are sponsored by Taylor Wimpey and BAE Systems.
Find out more about the celebrations.
Cllr Alan Jarrett
Leader of Medway Council