THREE DAYS TO GO: Final preparations in place for Armed Forces Day national event in Scarborough
The leader of Scarborough Borough Council has been giving his reaction
The Armed Forces Day National Event in Scarborough is getting even closer and is now just three days away.
Final preparations are being put in place for what is expected to be a huge showcase on Saturday, for the Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Navy.
It has been a long time coming as it has been deferred now for two years.
A senior politician and a member of the Royal family are expected to attend as well as senior members of the military.
Steve Siddons, Leader of Scarborough Borough Council, said: "The day on Saturday is going to be quite something. Everyone's looking forward to it. I think it's going to be a massive boost for Scarborough particularly but for the coast in general. We've got lots of things happening and hopefully some very special guests are coming and the Red Arrows of course.
"It's a great honour to have the national event of Armed Forces Day and it's particularly important because it's the last year of Scarborough Borough Council, so we've put extra effort into this to make sure it works really well and give it that 110 percent.
"It is Scarborough's event, that's just the way that it's been worked through but we didn't want Whitby and Filey to be missed out because they're an integral part of our borough. They've had smaller events and they'll be doing their own things on Saturday as well.
"It will be good to see all of it but particularly I'm looking forward to meeting some people who I probably wouldn't normally meet in other walks of life. I'm really looking forward to seeing, like everybody else I think, the Red Arrows when they come at 1 o'clock."
Meanwhile, the contribution of service men and women, reservists, veterans and their families across North Yorkshire will be recognised on Saturday.
North Yorkshire County Council says there are more than 12,000 people who work for the Ministry of Defence in the county, making up four per cent of all jobs in the area, and 3,000 children from service families in schools, accounting for around five per cent of the school population.
North Yorkshire County Council’s Chairwoman Cllr Margaret Atkinson said: “Every year we mark Armed Forces Day by recognising the positive impact our armed forces community has on North Yorkshire. It’s an opportunity for people to gain a greater understanding of the community, including serving personnel, reservists, veterans and family members.
“We are proud that Scarborough is hosting the national event this year which, due to the coronavirus pandemic, has been delayed for two years. It will be a fitting way to thank the men and women who are prepared to put their lives on the line in defence of our country.”
Catterick Garrison is the country’s largest army base, with associated barracks at Dishforth, Ripon and Topcliffe. It is also home to RAF stations at Leeming, Fylingdales and Menwith Hill and the Harrogate-based Army Foundation College.
The county council’s Leader, Cllr Carl Les, said: “We work hard to support our armed forces community by backing the Military Covenant, which aims to ensure that all those who serve or have served, and their families, are treated fairly in the provision of public services.
“We also employ service pupil champions who support children of military personnel in school, raise awareness of their needs and act as a link between schools, families and the military. We are proud of our strong connections and encourage everybody to show their support for Armed Forces Day.”
For more information about the Armed Forces Day national event in Scarborough, visit the website.