Quick march to the Leeds Armed Forces Festival

The festival, hosted by the Lord Mayor of Leeds, is a chance for everyone to show their support for the men and women who make up our armed forces community, from currently serving troops and service families, to reservists, veterans, and cadets.

Everyone in Leeds is invited to participate, and there is something to suit all tastes.

Highlights of the festival include the Lotherton Hall 1940’s weekend, special exhibitions at the Royal Armouries; a Commonwealth War Graves tour; Tea and Talk at Temple Newsam; a curator talk and object handling event at Leeds Discovery Centre, and various social history club events at Leeds Museum at various time s and dates in June, July and August.

Returning for a second year is the popular special tour of the Thackray Museum of Medicine, focusing on the building’s role as a military hospital in the First World War and the ever-popular singing group, the D-Day Darlings, will also be presenting their explosive new show for VE and VJ Day at City Varieties.

The centrepiece of the festival will be the main Armed Forces Day event on Sunday, June 29.

 The event will start with the raising of the Armed Forces Day flag in Victoria Gardens at 10:30am, before military personnel, veterans, and cadets, parade through the city’s streets to the main event space on Briggate, where the Lord Mayor will take the salute, all accompanied by the West Yorkshire Police band.

The day’s main activities will be on Briggate between 11am-4pm, and will be packed with family-friendly activities, parades, stalls, exhibitions, and music. Weather permitting, there will also be a flypast by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s (BBMF) C47 Dakota/Skytrain aircraft.

Lord Mayor Elect, Councillor Dan Cohen, said: “Leeds has a long tradition of supporting our armed forces in both war and peace, and I look forward to continuing that tradition during my year as Lord Mayor.

“This year, Armed Forces Day has added significance as we mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day and VJ Day; remembering, reflecting, and commemorating those who fought, worked, and sacrificed to allow us our way of life today.

“While a fun and engaging day for all the family, the Armed Forces Festival is also an incredible way to say thank you to the men and women of the armed forces community, past, present, and future.

“I would like to extend an invitation to everyone in Leeds, and I look forward to seeing as many people at the different events as possible.”

For more information on the Armed Forces Festival and Armed Forces Day, visit: https://www.millsqleeds.com/leeds-armed-forces-day/