Scarborough to host an Armed Forces Day event today
It's a one-day free event
Thousands of people will descend on Scarborough today to mark Armed Forces Day.
There will be a packed programme of displays, parades, band performances, live demonstrations and aerobatic displays.
The contribution of service men and women, reservists, veterans and their families across North Yorkshire will be recognised during the annual celebrations.
The free one-day event will run from 11am until 5pm starting with a welcome from Scarborough Town Crier, David Birdsall, will see thousands of people enjoy the sights and sounds of a variety of aerobatic displays in the skies above Scarborough’s South Bay.
These include The Strikemasters at 11.30am, The Titans Display Team at 1pm, Miles Messenger Air Display at 2pm and The Starlings Aerobatic Team display at 3.30pm.
There is also plenty of entertainment on the ground thanks to marching bands, military parades, live demonstrations and interactive exhibits and for the first time ever, a life-sized vintage Army jeep-type vehicle created out of cardboard and paper will be displayed on the West Pier as part of the main event.
In addition, huge crowds are expected to browse around the stalls from charities, partners and military organisations on the seafront. Military families will be able to visit the Heroes Welcome stall near the entrance to the West Pier to claim a resort hosting pack containing lots of freebies and special offers for refreshments and local attractions.
Last year, Scarborough hosted the Armed Forces Day national celebrations and a full programme of events is making a welcome return today.
North Yorkshire Council’s leader, Cllr Carl Les, said: “The event is one of hundreds held across the country on this day to show our support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community to selflessly and bravely serve our country, from the troops currently serving to service families, veterans and cadets.
“We are looking forward to welcoming thousands of people to Scarborough who can expect a packed programme of exciting displays, spectacular parades, band performances and not forgetting the thrilling aerobatic displays.”
North Yorkshire Council says the county has more than 12,000 people who work for the Ministry of Defence, making up four per cent of all jobs in the area, and 3,000 children from service families in schools, accounting for about five per cent of pupils in North Yorkshire.
Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire is one of the country’s largest military bases, and there are other barracks at Dishforth, Ripon and Topcliffe. The county is also home to Royal Air Force stations at Leeming, Fylingdales and Menwith Hill as well as the Harrogate-based Army Foundation College.
The county was one of the first places in the UK to have an Armed Forces Covenant, ensuring military personnel and veterans have access to services across the private and public sectors.
Road closures
Motorists are being reminded that a number of road closures will be in place on the day between 5am and 9pm. These include Sandside, Foreshore Road, Blands Cliff, Eastborough (from Globe Street to Foreshore Road), East Sandgate (from Tuthill to Eastborough) and Quay Street.
Pre-arranged deliveries to businesses will be permitted until 8.30am, with access via Aquarium Top at the roundabout at the southern end of Foreshore Road.
The West Pier car park will be closed to general parking from 6pm on Friday 23rd June, to 9pm on Saturday 24th June. Quay Street and Eastborough car parks will also be closed on Saturday 24th June, from 5am to 9pm. All three car parks are being used for the event.
For more information visit the Scarborough Armed Forces Day website.