Plymouth gears up for Armed Forces Weekend
Plymouth Armed Forces Week is an annual event held in support of the national Armed Forces Day initiative (25 and 26 June).
With 50,000 attending the event last year we are continuing to improve our annual event on the glorious Plymouth Hoe, and with this in mind we are developing a spectacular two day event which will be known as Armed Forces Weekend, in association with Babcock International.
The intention of the weekend for Plymouth is to say a big Thank You to the Armed Services, their families and our veterans.
The aim of the event from the MOD; is to raise awareness of and support for our Armed Forces community and celebrate the outstanding contribution it makes to our country.
Plans to date include:
Saturday 25 June – 10am to 10.30pm
- Villages & Arena Displays:
- Veterans Village Sponsored by Royal British Legion
- Hidden Heritage Living History Zone
- Royal Naval Village
- Army Village
- RAF Village
- Emergency Services Displays
- Event Programme:
- The annual RAF and Allied Air Forces Monument Service supported by the Royal Marine Band, Plymouth in the Arena
- Veterans parade on the Hoe including over 30 Royal British Legion Standards
- Plymouth Youth Music Service (PYMS) Stage
- Cadets Corps of Drums and Drill Display team in the Arena
- HMS Raleigh Training School Arms Drill Display with the Royal Marine Band, Plymouth in the Arena
- Military Kids Choir and Community Covenant Speech on the main stage
- Plymouth Drake Sea Cadets in the Arena
- Company B - 7 piece rowdy energetic jump jive band that bring an era of musical vintage bang up to date with their show performance on the main stage
- The Rifles Freedom of the City Parade and led by The Rifles Band and Bugles
- HMNB Devonport V HMS Raleigh Field Gun Competition in the Arena. Babcock Cup Presentation in the Arena
- Jnr Field Gun Run. RM Volunteer cadet Corp. V Pennycross Primary School in the Arena
- SW Massed Pipe Band in the Arena
- RAF Air Cadets continuity drill display team in the Arena
- Air Displays sponsored by UTC Aerospace Systems
- Evening Stage Entertainment:
- Military Wives Choir
- The Function Band of HM Royal Marines Band Plymouth
- Phil Collins tribute - straight out of the tribute top drawer
- Red Hot Chilli Pipers – the most famous bagpipe band on the planet…it’s Bagrock!
- Birmingham Blues Brothers – On a Mission in Plymouth
Sunday 26 June – 10am to 4pm
- Junior Field Gun competition and competition trophy presentations
- Feu de Joie from 29 CMDO Royal Artillery Citadel with Royal Marine Band, Plymouth
- 32nd Cornwall Regiment of Foot (Napoleonic era) drill display, marching and musket firing display
- Air Displays sponsored by UTC Aerospace Systems
Other activities include the Armed Forces Day Flag Raising Event on Monday 20 June in front of the Plymouth Guildhall and the Children and Young People's Services have planned a HMS Heroes Service Children’s Voice Awards, The HMS Heroes small marquee, a competition for art and design and much more.
For a full list of events and activities, click here