Hundreds of service personnel will parade through Leicester this weekend to mark Armed Forces Day – a celebration which will conclude with a military fly past.
The 250-person strong parade, will set off from the top of High Street near Jubilee Square at around 12.15pm on Saturday (June 24).
It will make its way to Green Dragon Square via High Street, the Clock Tower, Gallowtree Gate and Market Place South.
The pipes and Drums of the Seaforth Highlanders will provide the music, while three dogs from the Defence Animal Training Centre will also be in tow.
As the parade makes its way through the city centre, Mike Kapur OBE, His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire will give the traditional salute alongside Wing Commander Nicola Duncan MA RAF. They will be joined by the Lord Mayor of Leicester, Councillor Dr Susan Barton, and the Chairman of Leicestershire County Council, Dr Kevin Feltham.
Lord Mayor of Leicester, Cllr Dr Susan Barton, is hoping that people will turn out in numbers on Saturday to show their support.
“Let’s show our service men and women how much we appreciate them by lining the parade route on Saturday,” she said.
“Armed Forces Day is an important opportunity to show our support – and it’s also an opportunity to enjoy the spectacle of a military parade, right here, in our city centre.
“We are delighted to acknowledge the work of our armed forces, both past and present, and look forward to welcoming them to Leicester.”
Once the parade reaches Green Dragon Square at around 1pm, a Drumhead Service – a traditional service held in the field, in which regimental drums are placed together to form an altar – will take place.
Led by the Bishop of Loughborough, Saju Muthalaly, the 30-minute service will include a performance by the Cottesmore Military Wives Choir.
Weather permitting, the service will conclude with a fly-past by a Lancaster bomber from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight at around 1.27pm.
Assistant city mayor Cllr Vi Dempster is Leiceester City Council’s Armed Forces Champion.
“Both my parents served in the forces, so I know the sacrifices that our servicemen and women make to serve our country,” she said.
“In a city as diverse as Leicester, we don’t need reminding of the huge role played by our Commonwealth partners in various conflicts over the years.
“Armed Forces Week gives us an opportunity to show our gratitude to all of those brave men and women, from Britain and beyond, who continue to play such a vital role in the security of our country.”
