Support Our Armed Forces Heroes This Saturday
This Saturday (25th June) will see a huge Armed Forces Day event come to Caerphilly, and it is hoped that residents from across Caerphilly county borough and beyond will be keen to turn out and show their support.
The Armed Forces Day South Wales event, which comes to Caerphilly for the first time, having previously been held in Cardiff, will offer a packed day of family fun – starting with a military parade through Caerphilly town centre at 11am.
Hundreds of Armed Services personnel, cadets and veterans will march from St Martin’s School on Hillside, through the town centre down Cardiff Road, past the Caerphilly Visitor Centre to the Piccadilly Lights, turning left onto Nantgarw Road before finally coming to a halt on Crescent Road.
The council is calling on residents to line the streets along the route of the parade to show their support for the Armed Forces.
Following this, at midday, a special Drum Head Service will be held against the backdrop of Caerphilly Castle.
Then the fun really starts, as between 10am and 6pm the Owain Glyndwr Playing Fields (on Crescent Road) will be taken over by military stalls and marquees, demonstrations, an events arena, music stage, licensed bar – and much, much more.
The day of FREE events will also feature military displays, musical performances and a parachute display by the Royal Logistic Corps (RLC) Silver Stars.
Phil Hubbard, Chair of the South Wales Armed Forces Day Committee said, “Armed Forces Day is a fantastic opportunity for everyone to show their support and recognition for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community, including current serving troops, veterans, cadets and forces families.
“This year’s Armed Forces Day event is particularly important as it marks some key anniversaries, including the centenary of the Battle of Mametz Wood, which began in early July 1916 as the Somme offensive was at its height. Hundreds of Welshmen died at Mametz, most of them volunteers, and thousands more were casualties.
“It’s also the 75th anniversary of the RAF Air Cadets which comprises both the Air Training Corps (ATC) and the Combined Cadet Force (RAF) and both were established in 1941. We’re delighted that the No 1 Welsh Wing Band, which is formed of ATC Cadets in South Wales, will feature in the parade and also perform in the main events arena”.
The event is being organised and coordinated by the South Wales Armed Forces Day committee – a dedicated team of volunteers – and supported by Caerphilly County Borough Council.
Cllr Keith Reynolds, Leader of the Council said, “As we countdown to this event, I have no doubt that our residents and visitors alike will turn out in their thousands – as they always do – to help celebrate and show their support for our Armed Forces at this wonderful event”.
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