Event honoured our Armed Forces

Published Tuesday, 29 June 2021

A SPECIAL outdoor service and parade was held in Hinckley on Saturday (26 June) to enable people to show their support for the Armed Forces.

Now in its 13th year, Armed Forces Day gives everyone the opportunity to thank the people who make up the Armed Forces community; from currently serving troops to Service families, veterans and cadets.  

This year a number of changes were made to the outdoor event in line with COVID-19 guidelines.  

Organised by Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council and the Hinckley Combined Ex-services Association, the event included representatives from several regiments, nationalities, sections and services, including the local cadet forces.  Also in attendance was Mayor of Hinckley and Bosworth Ted Hollick and the Borough Council’s Armed Forces Champions Councillors Russ Roberts and Danny Findlay.

There was an open air service in Argents Mead, which was led by Reverend Gary Weston, and then the parade made its way down Church Walk and along Station Road where a formal salute was taken for our fallen soldiers. 

There were event stewards on hand, hand sanitiser was available and those who attended the open air service were encouraged to spread out across Argents Mead in order to keep a safe distance from others.

An addition to the event this year was the variety of military vehicles and memorabilia on display in Argents Mead which visitors could view. 

Executive Member for Culture, Leisure, Tourism & Town Centres at the Borough Council, Councillor Keith Nichols said:

It is important to remember and recognise what the men and women in our Armed Forces have done and continue to do for us so I am pleased we were able to go ahead with this event, adapted in line with COVID guidelines. Our armed services do a vital job in challenging situations and deserve all the support we can give them.

Armed Forces Champion Councillor Russ Roberts, added:

It was great to see so many people attend the event even with the restrictions for social distancing, veterans and families. Another great event supported by the Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council Events team.