Southend Salutes - Armed Forces Weekend

Residents are still buzzing following the 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment's parade through the High Street on Thursday last week which was attended by thousands of well wishers.

And organisers of 'Southend Salutes' hope the people of the town will turn out in force to give Saturday and Sunday's festivities a similar level of support.

The now annual event is staged to celebrate National Armed Forces Day, which is held in recognition of our servicemen and women of the past, present and future.

Chalkwell Park will be the focus of the activity between 10am and 5pm on Saturday (June 26), with the firing of the Royal Artillery Field Gun blasting off the proceedings.

Attractions will include World War Two re-enactments, flight simulators, a climbing wall, the Southend Radio Roadshow and stands for Help for Heroes, the RAF, the Army and veterans.

The Worshipful The Mayor of Southend, Councillor Ann Holland, will also present local veterans with official MoD Veterans' Badges and certificates marking their service to the town.

Other events include a 1940s-style tea dance, art activities for children and Essex Boot Camp's 'Survival of the Fittest' competition. 

On Sunday (June 27) attention switches to the town centre with local veterans' associations manning stands and stalls along the High Street.

There will be a large parade of armed forces from the past present and future, which starts from Tylers Avenue at approx 12:45pm

When the parade arrives in Victoria Circus it will be greeted by the Mayor and the RA Field Gun and an open air service will be held at 1pm with hymns and prayers.

Other attractions include the first official public appearance of the Southend Fire Station Corps of Drums. As well as music from the RAF band.

Local Army Cadets will collect donations throughout the weekend, with monies collected being split equally between Help for Heroes and local veterans' charities.

The Park Inn Palace Hotel is kindly hosting a special curry lunch for the armed forces and veterans taking part in the parade.

Councillor Ian Robertson, Executive Councillor for Enterprise , Tourism and Regeneration, urged people in the town to support the 'Southend Salutes' event.

He said: "The town is still on a high following last week's Royal Anglian Regiment parade and we want residents to carry their patriotism and pride through into the weekend.

"This event is all about honouring the brave servicemen and women who have served the local community in the past and up to the present day.

"A whole host of fabulous attractions have been organised and I would urge the people of Southend to turn out for this event in the same numbers they did for the parade."

For more information about this media release please call the Media and Communications Team on 01702-215000 ext 5939 or 5505 or e-mail media@southend.gov.uk