Around 150 members of the Armed Forces will parade through Chester city centre as part of celebrations to mark Armed Forces Week.
The military parade, made up of Regulars from the 1st Battalion, The Mercian Regiment, cadets and veterans and accompanied by Chester City Brass Band, starts at 11.45am on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, 24 June. It will also be led by the 1st Battalion, The Mercian Regiment’s mascot – a Swaledale ram called Lance Corporal Derby.
The troops from the Mercian Regiment are newly returned from operations in both Germany and Sweden, where they have been representing the nation on exercises with NATO allies and partners.
The parade, hosted by the Lord Mayor of Chester, is the borough’s grand finale of Armed Forces Week, a UK-wide celebration giving residents chance to show their support to the men and women of the Armed Forces community.
The week starts on Monday, 19 June, with the Lord Mayor, Cllr Sheila Little, and military personnel raising the Armed Forces Day flag outside Chester Town Hall.
Cheshire West and Chester Council will show its support by flying Armed Forces Day flags throughout the week at Civic Way, in Ellesmere Port, HQ and the town hall, in Chester, and Wyvern House, in Winsford.
Members of the Armed Forces community can also take advantage of special offers from 19 to 25 June.
This includes free Park and Ride travel in Chester on Armed Forces Day for serving military personnel with a fare paying passenger – this includes regulars, reservists, Cadet Force adult volunteers and veterans.
Brio Leisure also provides current and ex-members of the military, along with those who are medically discharged, the opportunity to receive a discounted or free membership. Ex-members of the armed forces can benefit from Brio Leisure’s discounted Work Fit Membership, and this is available to those who have left the forces in the last five years.
Cllr Sam Naylor, the Council’s Armed Forces Member Champion, said: “The Council recognises and admires the commitment and sacrifices that our Armed Forces make on our behalf.
“We’re committed to supporting these special individuals and their families, and Armed Forces Week gives us a fantastic opportunity to celebrate their outstanding contribution to our borough and our country.”
The Council also provides a range of support to the Armed Forces community through its Armed Forces Covenant. For more information about this visit: westcheshirearmedforcescovenant.co.uk
For more information about Brio memberships visit: www.brioleisure.org/memberships-and-prices/concessionary.
For more information about Armed Forces Day visit: www.armedforcesday.org.uk.
