Reading Pays Tribute on Armed Forces Day

On the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings, Reading will again this year be paying tribute to its military veterans with a host of family-friendly activities in the Forbury Gardens and Broad Street on Saturday (29th June).

Armed Forces Day celebrations will be taking place across the country to give everyone the opportunity to show their support and appreciation for our services personnel, past and present, including Reservists, veterans and cadets as well as their families. In Reading, the annual event begins at 11am in the Forbury Gardens with a performance from The Moving On and The AGE UK Choir, followed by entertainer Diane James performing her tribute to the legendary Dame Vera Lynn (11.30am). Diane will be back performing her 50s tribute to Doris Day (1.30pm) after the All Jazz Quartet in the afternoon (12.30pm). At 2.30pm the South Berks Concert Band will be performing. Focus will then switch to Broad Street at 3pm, where the Royal Marines Band Collingwood will be performing. The Army Careers Office, normally based in St Mary’s Butts, will also be in Broad Street with interactive games, Army vehicles and information regarding different jobs and apprenticeships in the Army. There will be serving personnel from Royal Armoured Corps, Royal Artillery and the Cadets are supporting as well. Families can enjoy balloon modelling, face painting as well as a paper aeroplane arts and crafts activity in the Forbury Gardens throughout the day and they can visit stands from charity and community organisations including SSAFA The Armed Forces Charity, the Royal British Legion, Regular Forces Employment Charity, Reading Ex-British Gurkha Association and seAp (Military Advocacy Service) . There will also be a selection of refreshments available, although visitors are welcome to bring along a picnic. The day will culminate with the annual HM Armed Forces Veteran’s Badge Presentation from 4pm, led by Reading Borough Council Leader Jason Brock, The Mayor of Reading, Cllr Woodward and Brigadier Stephen Matthews who will be representing the Lord-Lieutenant of Berkshire on the day.

Councillor Brock said:

“In the year we remember the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings, Armed Forces Day takes on extra significance in 2019. Across the country people will be showing their appreciation to the men and women who have served our country, and to those who continue to do so. “The annual event in Reading is always popular with families and it’s great to see all ages involved, from young cadets to seasoned Forces veterans.”