Armed Forces Day welcomes the Olympic Torch
Troops will line the streets of Birmingham city centre to welcome the Olympic Torch to the city as it passes by Birmingham Town Hall on Saturday 30 June at 7.15pm. This will be a significant moment as the Torch will have visited the National Arboretum in Alrewas earlier that day.
Armed Forces Day is an annual opportunity for the public to show their support for the outstanding contribution made by the Armed Forces community. Following the event at troops will greet the torch as it travels under the bridge at Paradise Circus Queensway at 7.15pm.
Armed Forces Day will take place in Birmingham's Victoria and Centenary Squares and will feature a regimental march, a drumhead service and medal ceremony, live entertainment and will close with a Beat the Retreat.
Armed Forces Day events will be taking place throughout the country to raise public awareness of the contribution made by those who serve and have served in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces. The event gives the public an opportunity to show their support for all of the Armed Forces community, including currently serving troops, Service families, veterans and cadets.
Earlier in the day, at 8.30am, the Olympic Torch will visit the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, which is also holding a day of Armed Forces Day events. The Arboretum is a national site of remembrance that consists of 150 acres of wooded parkland at Alrewas, near Lichfield, Staffordshire.
The Armed Forces Day event in Birmingham will start at 12.00pm with a private ceremony at the Hall of Memory where names of the fallen will be added to the Book of Remembrance at the Hall of Memory. There will be a march from in front of Baskerville House to Centenary Square at 12.30pm and a Drum Head and Outdoor Service at 12.45am.
There will also be live entertainment on stage in Victoria Square from 12noon - 6pm, including the 1940's style of Sticky Wicket Swing Orchestra and singer Maggie O' Hara, musical hall style entertainer Dave Sealey, as well as a Military Band and Sea Cadets Drill Squad and a Beat the Retreat at 6.30pm.
Sharon Lea, Strategic Director, Environment and Culture at Birmingham City Council said: “This is an important event in Birmingham's annual calendar as it gives local people the opportunity to pay tribute to the servicemen and women, past and present, who have served their country. I hope that the people of Birmingham will find the day both informative and entertaining as well.”
For further details on Armed Forces Day please contact 0121 303 3008 or visit www.birmingham.gov.uk/armed-forces-day.
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