There’ll be a ceremonial march, military tasters and free family activities galore
Manchester will honour the outstanding contribution of the nation’s armed forces with a special day of activities and entertainment for the whole family this Saturday.
The celebration will take over St Peter’s Square on Saturday 29 June, from 11am until 4pm, to thank current serving members of the armed forces as well as veterans of all ages.
A ceremonial march past will begin the day at 11.30am through St Peter’s Square and the cenotaph to the sounds of the Lancashire Artillery Band and Scots Guards pipe band, and both will continue to perform throughout the day - alongside local musicians and a special performance from ‘veterans’ sweetheart’ Sarah Dennis.
There’ll also be military taster activities, including the chance to try authentic radio communications with the Military Veterans Museum UK, and a service ready helicopter and tank will be on site for those who want to get a feel for field operations first hand.
Family-friendly activities will include climbing wall and face painting, and there’ll be range of food and drink on offer too.
With Central Library open throughout the day, it’s also a good opportunity to discover the fantastic archive material available on Manchester’s local military.
Special offers will be available to anyone with a veteran’s badge or armed forces ID.
Lord Mayor of Manchester, Cllr Abid Latif Chohan, said: “Being part of Armed Forces Day is a privilege, honouring the work, dedication and professionalism of our service men and women, along with our incredible veterans. It's a great day out for all the family and a chance to show your appreciation for their service."
For more information, visit manchester.gov.uk/armedforcesday and follow #saluteourforces on Twitter
Photos: Mark Waugh
