The start of Armed Forces Week was marked today with the raising of a flag at the Old Town Hall in Carlisle, writes Chris Jones.
Local dignitaries, veterans and members of the military community gathered for a commemorative ceremony and the flag was raised at noon, signalling the beginning of a week of events recognising the service and sacrifice of the armed forces.
Chair of Cumberland Council, Councillor Andy Semple, reaffirmed the council’s ongoing commitment to supporting serving personnel, veterans and their families.
The event was attended by a contingent from the Royal British Legion Carlisle & Stanwix branch, alongside representatives from the armed forces.
The flag was blessed by the Rev Keith Teasdale, chaplain, during a short act of dedication.
Captain Peter Reynolds, of the Duke of Lancaster Regiment, said the ceremony marked an important moment in the Armed Forces Week programme.
“Today we are raising the armed forces flag to commemorate the start of Armed Forces Week ahead of the major events on Saturday,” he said.
Armed Forces Week is held annually across the UK to celebrate the contributions of serving personnel, reservists, veterans, cadets and military families.
The week includes Cadet Forces Day tomorrow, Tuesday June 23, Reserves Day on Wednesday June 24 and culminates with Armed Forces Day on Saturday 27 June.
The week will culminate in a series of events on Saturday, bringing together communities to show their support for the armed forces.
Flags were also raised at Westmorland & Furness Council buildings.
In Barrow, the flag was raised on Saturday at the town hall, following a military parade.
The event was attended by Deputy Lieutenant Cdr Phil Burns MBE, Barrow mayor Kay Hyland, Westmorland and Furness Council’s Armed Forces Champion for Furness, Cllr Bill McEwan; the council’s representative to the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Associations (RFCA), Cllr Ben Shirley; and mace-bearer Jake Lake.
In Kendal, the flag was raised above the town hall today during a ceremony accompanied by a bugle fanfare performed by Sqn Ldr Michael Parker MCGI of RAF Spadeadam.
Those in attendance included Deputy Lieutenant Sam Rayner CBE; Kendal mayor of Kendal Helen Ladhams; the chairman of Westmorland and Furness Council Doug Rathbone; chief executive Miranda Cannon; director of children’s services Milorad Vasic; as well as local veterans and representatives from One Vision Uniformed Services CIC.
In Penrith, a flag was raised outside Voreda House during a ceremony attended by Penrith mayor Valerie Bowen; Westmorland and Furness Council’s deputy chair, Mark Rudhall; Armed Forces Champion for Eden, Cllr Michael Eyles; cabinet member for adult care, Cllr Patricia Bell; chief legal and monitoring officer and Armed Forces Lead Officer, Linda Jones; chair of the Penrith branch of the Royal British Legion, Kerryanne Wilde and local veterans and cadets.
Westmorland and Furness Council is a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, reaffirming its commitment to ensuring those who serve or have served, and their families, are treated fairly and not disadvantaged by their service.
The council has also recently achieved revalidation of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award, the highest honour for employers demonstrating outstanding support for veterans, reservists, Cadet Force Adult Volunteers and military families.
Cllr Vicky Hughes, Westmorland and Furness Council’s cabinet member for planning, active wellbeing and the armed forces, said: “Armed Forces Week is an important opportunity to recognise and thank those who serve, and have served, in our armed forces, as well as their families.
“We are proud to show our support across Westmorland and Furness and to stand alongside our armed forces community.
“From flying the flag to the practical support we provide as a council, we are committed to ensuring they are recognised, valued and supported.”
