Show your support for Armed Forces Day

Published: 18 June 2019

Exeter celebrates Armed Forces Day on Saturday (22 June) with a parade through the High Street.

The Parade - led by the Barnstaple Youth Band and made up of cadets and veterans - sets off from Sidwell Street at 11am, marching down the High Street and past the Guildhall, where the Lord Mayor, Cllr Peter Holland, will take the salute alongside the Commandant, Colonel Mike Tanner from the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines, Lympstone, and Wing Commander Brian Wills-Pope, Deputy Lieutenant of Devon.

The Parade will carry on to Exeter Cathedral Green, where the troops and band will take up position in front of the main entrance in readiness for inspection by the Lord mayor and VIPs.

There will be a Military Village taking place on the Cathedral Green, which will include military vehicles and serving personnel, recruitment stalls and much more. This year, Armed Forces Day will also coincide with the Cathedral's International Bell Ringing Competition.

Cllr Emma Morse, Exeter City Council’s Armed Forces Champion, said she hoped people would come out in their numbers on Saturday to show support for our Armed Forces, veterans and cadets.

“In Exeter we have six Armed Forces Regiments who hold the Freedom of the City. For their unwavering service to protect our country and its citizens, we are indebted to our Armed Forces. As a city we want to show the Military Community, including veterans and cadets, that we stand united in supporting them and their families,” she added.

In Exeter the city has its own Armed Forces Covenant, recognising the fantastic job that service personnel do and acknowledging their hard work and bravery.

A number of businesses in the city have signed up to the covenant and pledged discounts to service personnel and their families.

To find out more about the Covenant click here