Veterans invited to join Armed Forces Day parade
Veterans are being encouraged to join in an Armed Forces Day parade in Brighton on Saturday June 27.
Anyone who has been in the services is welcome to take part in the parade of veterans and cadets taking place in New Road at 11am.
Those wishing to join the parade should gather in Jubilee Street at 10.30am. The parade will then go along New Road where it will be received by the Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, Peter Field; the High Sheriff of East Sussex, Juliet Smith; Brighton & Hove Mayor, Councillor Lynda Hyde; and Lt Col Gary Britton, Sussex Army Cadet Force and 11 Infantry Brigade.
The parade of veterans and cadets is part of a programme of events being organised by Brighton & Hove City Council, the Royal British Legion and other partners to mark Armed Forces Week (week beginning June 22).
The week will begin with a flag raising ceremony at the Old Steine War Memorial in Brighton on Monday June 22 at 11am.
On Armed Forces Day itself, June 27, the parade will start a day of activities in New Road, including 1940s music, plus talks, poetry readings and information stalls. See more details below.
The mayor, Cllr Lynda Hyde, said: “We hope people will come along, to show their support for our forces and enjoy the parade and entertainment taking place in New Road.”
Dudley Button, President of the Brighton & Hove city branch of the Royal British Legion, said: “We are encouraging veterans of all ages to come along to join in the parade, everyone is very welcome – it doesn’t matter when they served, or how long they served for. This is an opportunity to recognise all those who have served in the forces.”
Armed Forces Week:
Monday June 22 11am
Flag raising ceremony, Old Steine War Memorial, Brighton
Veteran Bruno Jones from the Royal Sussex Regimental Association, assisted by the Mayor Councillor Lynda Hyde, will raise the Armed Forces Day Flag. They will be joined by the Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, Peter Field; the High Sheriff of East Sussex, Juliet Smith; plus cadets from the Army, Navy and RAF. (This will be a short event lasting about 10 minutes.)
Saturday June 27 11am onwards
Armed Forces Day events, New Road, Brighton
10am to 4pm Information stalls from armed forces charities and cadet organisations
11am Parade of veterans and cadets
12noon to 4pm 1940s music and entertainment in the street from bands Vintage Hot 5 and Hoochie Toots
1.30pm to 3.15pm Activities in the Unitarian Church in New Road, including performances of World War One songs and poetry by local schoolchildren; talks about the involvement of Indian troops on the Western Front in World War One, the role of the Royal Pavilion as an Indian military hospital, and the Chattri Memorial; and readings of letters written by Indian soldiers who were treated in military hospitals in Brighton during World War One.
Dome Café Bar, Church Street, Brighton June 27 10am to 4pm
An exhibition about the Chattri memorial will be on display in the Dome Café Bar. The Chattri was built to honour the Indian dead of the First World War. It is situated on the Downs north of Patcham, on the site where Hindu and Sikh soldiers who died in Brighton war hospitals during 1914-1915 were cremated. The exhibition is organised by the Chattri Memorial Group.
There will also be a chance to see a new virtual tour of the Royal Pavilion Estate.
Further information:
Brighton & Hove City Council press office 01273 291035/293033