The flag of the Armed Forces will be raised in Leicester’s Town Hall Square today( Monday,24 June) to mark the start of Armed Forces Week.
Leicester’s Lord Mayor Cllr Bhupen Dave will be joined by Deputy Lieutenant Colonel Richard Hurwood for the simple ceremony at 11.30am, when the flag will be hoisted and flown until dusk on Armed Forces Day on Saturday 29 June.
The flag-raising ceremony will take place ahead of the Armed Forces Day service and parade on Saturday, which will include a 250-strong parade, led by four mounted officers from the Defence Animal Training Centre (DATC). It will be made up of serving military, reservists, veterans, cadets and the Pipes and Drums of the Seaforth Highlanders. Four trained dogs from the DATC will also take part.
The parade will step off from Belgrave Gate, near to the Haymarket car park, at 11am. It will make its way past the Clock Tower, onto High Street, and fall out in Jubilee Square.
A saluting dais will be positioned on High Street opposite Carts Lane, where the salute will be taken by the Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Mike Kapur OBE and Commodore Jo Adey ADC, Royal Navy Commander Maritime Reserves. They will be joined on the dais by the Lord Mayor of Leicester, Cllr Bhupen Dave and the Chairman of Leicestershire County Council, Cllr Joe Orson.
Once in Jubilee Square, a drumhead service will comment at approximately 11.20am. The service will begin with the formation of the drumhead made up of five single drums. The service will be led by the Dean of Leicester, the Very Revd Karen Rooms.
