Countdown to Armed Forces Weekend 2015

June 22, 2015 by Southend Borough Council

Countdown to Armed Forces Weekend 2015

Monday 22nd June 2015

Celebrations in Southend this weekend - Saturday and Sunday 27th and 28th June - will honour past, present and future members of the Armed Forces.

There will be a military parade and open air service, as well as the chance to support military organisations at stalls in the Victoria Shopping Centre

Already in preparation for the event, the Armed Forces Flag is now flying outside Southend Civic Centre.

This was raised today, Monday 22nd June, by the Worshipful the Mayor of Southend, Councillor Andrew Moring, joined by Armed Forces Veterans with the Royal Artillery gun stationed nearby.

This gun will be fired at 11am and 11:02am on Saturday 27th June during a special open air service in Southend High Street.

It will mark the beginning and end of the two minute silence being observed to remember those lost in armed conflicts.

The service will follow a military parade which starts at 10:30am near the railway bridge across Southend High Street, and will march towards Victoria Circus.

Among those in the parade will be Armed Forces Veterans and members of Southend Sea Cadet Unit.

At 10:45am, the parade will arrive at Victoria Circus to be welcomed by Councillor Moring.

Then the service will take place, led by the Rev Frank Smith, Chaplain to the Royal Artillery Association and the British Korean Veterans Association, and will include traditional hymns, the two minutes silence at 11am, the playing of the Last Post and Reveille.

It will be accompanied by Southend Boys and Girls Choirs, along with local singers and also Southend Band who will give a 40 minute performance when the service ends at 11:30am.

Executive Councillor for Enterprise, Tourism and Economic Development, Councillor Graham Longley said: “This Armed Forces weekend offers everyone a special opportunity to celebrate members of the Armed Forces past, present and future, and to say thank you to them.

“We hope as many people as possible will come along to take part in the events, by watching the parade, taking part in the service, visiting the military charity stalls in the Victoria Shopping Centre, or taking a look at the military vehicle display between 9am and 6pm on City Beach Southend Seafront on Sunday 28th June.

“These activities enable residents and visitors to meet members of the Armed Forces face to face, to show their gratitude and find out more about the service they have given.”