Marching with pride: Armed Forces Day returns to Denton

Armed Forces Day is marching back to Denton on Saturday 28 June for Tameside’s annual salute to the borough’s service personnel past, present and future.

From 1pm until 4pm, there will be a fantastic festival of free fun and entertainment which will take place around the bandstand in Victoria Park. Toes’ will be tapping as it will feature lots of live music, there will also be dazzling dance displays by local schools, and a range of exciting activities for children and adults alike, including climbing walls, inflatable axe throwing, face painting, arts, crafts and much more.

To mark the 80th anniversary of VE and VJ Day, local artist Martha Webster will also be undertaking a research project at Tameside Local Studies and Archives, gathering together the histories of these days over the years in Tameside. This research will culminate in a communal art project at Tameside Armed Forces Day, creating a collective work that will commemorate the 80th anniversary for years to come.

The day will also include a private veterans’ lunch at Denton Civic Square hosted by the Civic Mayor, Councillor Shibley Allam where she and other dignitaries will offer personal thanks to those who have served in the forces.

There will also be a range of support services and community organisations in attendance, offering help and support for veterans.

Refreshments will be available throughout the afternoon from Victoria Park Community Centre.

Councillor Hugh Roderick, Tameside Council Executive Member (Finance and Resources) and Armed Forces Champion, said: “Armed Forces Day is our chance to say thank you to those who have served and those who continue to serve to protect our country. This is all the more significant this year as we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of the second world war. The day is always a fantastic day for all the family with free entertainment and fun activities with something for everyone.”

If you’re a veteran living in the borough, you can get updates on events and support available to you by registering with TASC (Tameside Armed Services Community) at https://tamesideasc.org.uk/join. In addition, if you’re a veteran who hasn’t received an invitation to the Armed Forces Day event and would like to attend the civic luncheon, please email events@tameside.gov.uk.

Please note that as there is limited parking in the streets around Victoria Park, the nearest pay and display car park is situated on Queen Street.

Find out more at www.intameside.co.uk/armedforcesday

Credit: Tameside Council