Armed Forces Day celebrations in the city marked with flag raising ceremony

The Armed Forces Day flag has been proudly raised in the city, ahead of Leeds Armed Forces Day this Saturday (June 23).

Joining the Lord Mayor of Leeds Cllr Graham Latty at the special ceremony on Victoria Gardens included representatives of the British Armed Forces, veterans and members of the public.

As always a packed programme of events, activities and entertainment will be on offer as part of the free Leeds Armed Forces Day event on Saturday, which will take place in a new location of Briggate this year, from 11am-4pm.

For one day only, Armed Forces Day Leeds, will feature ‘RAF Briggate’ as part of the Armed Forces Day celebrations in honour of 2018 marking 100 years of the RAF. RAF Briggate will see the members of our local air force groups that are attending come together to celebrate in the heart of Briggate.

On offer will include; an exciting line up of live entertainment including performances by the West Yorkshire Police band, the City of Leeds Pipe band, and some super-talented students from the Leeds College of Music.

Alongside will be an opportunity to get active on a 27ft climbing wall, experience life as an RAF pilot on a high-tech flight simulator, or take part in a range of arts, crafts and face painting. Those in attendance will also have the opportunity to suit up and wear kit worn by military personnel, and see at close-hand some of the weaponry that the services use.

There will also be a great array of displays, military vehicles and military related stalls, with the opportunity to speak to military charities and veterans group, and to hear inspiring stories about time service in the forces and the diverse nature of service.

The city’s veteran community will also be on parade, allowing the general public to once again turn out to show their appreciation for the service and dedication of our forces veterans.

The Lord Mayor of Leeds Cllr Graham Latty, said:

“It is a privilege to be given the honour of hosting the city’s Armed Forces Day celebrations in its new exciting form in Briggate, and this year’s programme is one of the largest and varied yet.

“As a city, we are extremely proud of our armed forces personnel and the vitally important work that they are undertaking with such great dedication and professionalism around the world. We continue to be extremely keen therefore to see Leeds play its full part in the national Armed Forces Day celebrations, and would like to offer a big thank you to everyone taking part and who has contributed to the organisation of the event.

“This is a brilliant opportunity for people of all ages to show their appreciation to our armed forces, reservists, veterans and cadets and also find out more from serving personnel and veterans about what they do and listen to their own experiences.

“A wide-range of events and activities will be on offer including a parade, stalls and entertainment perfect for all the family, in what has rightly become one of our city’s most popular civic events.”