This is the date of the Armed Forces Day celebrations that will take place in Hythe, Kent. It was previously set a week earlier than the Folkestone Armed Forces Day to avoid a conflict of interests and allow military veterans, and others, to enjoy both venues. Since that early planning stage, Folkestone have cancelled their event.
Armed Forces Day (formerly known as Veterans’ Day) in the United Kingdom is an annual event celebrated in late June. It commemorates the service of men and women in the British Armed Forces. The day was first observed in 2006 as Veterans’ Day, with a focus on honouring living ex-servicemen and women. In 2009, the name was changed to Armed Forces Day. The date was chosen to coincide with the anniversary of the first investiture of the Victoria Cross in 1857.
We have been advised that plans for this year’s Armed Forces Day celebrations (in Hythe) will mean that it will be held a week earlier than the official Armed Forces Day date, that it will be held in Oaklands Park, Stade Street, Hythe CT21 6BD and that the format is expected to be:
TIMINGS:
- 0800-1030 set up (no vehicle movements after 1030)
- 1015 Kent PA system and compere in place
- 1030 Band and Choir in position
- 1040 Town Dignitaries in Position
- 1045 Marching party form up -Parade Marshal
- 1100 Service commence
- ? Band plays and Choir sings
- 1230 -1310 Hythe Bay C of E Primary
- 1310-1350 Abbalicous
- 1350 -1430 Elvis
- 1430-1510 Brockhill Performing Arts College
- 1510 -1600 Abbalicous
FESTIVAL VILLAGE:
The following have expressed interest in erecting a stall:
- Royal British Legion
- Twinning
- Dementia Forum/Friends of Dementia
- Salvation Army
- Hythe Civic Society
- Landmarc Support Services
- A Company 3 PWRR Army Reserves
- Girl Guides
- Kent (Marine) Cadets
- Folkestone and Hythe Sea and Royal Marine Cadets
- Chris Porter – THRIFT
- King Cones
- Burger Van
- Salvation Army
- Shorncliffe military wife’s Choir (Tombola)
- Scouts TBC
- Hythe Rotary
- Hythe Youth Centre Salus TBC
- Military Vehicles TBC
- Folkestone Enactment Society TBC
- St Johns Ambulance TBC
- Prince Edwins Masonic Lodge
- Bouncy castle
- Face Painting
The Grenadier Guards Association – Kent Branch, have agreed to sponsor a FREE cup of tea and a wad for military veterans. Veterans should visit the RBL stall, provide proof or demonstrate that they are a military veteran, then collect a token that can be supplied to the staff at the Age UK canteen where they will be provided with a FREE cup of tea and a wad. This offer is subject to one token per veteran and to a set financial criteria. There will be a set number of tickets and once they’re gone, they’re gone!
