Make a date for Armed Forces Day in Hartlepool

Organised by Hartlepool Armed Forces Liaison Group in conjunction with Hartlepool Borough Council and the National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool and supported by Jomast, the commemoration will feature a host of family-friendly attractions.

The event - which is sponsored by Seymour Civil Engineering, Hart Biologicals and Liberty Steel – will start at 11am with a parade from Church Street to Church Square featuring 8 Rifles, the standards of local military associations, cadet detachments and music from the Durham and Northumbria Band of the Air Cadets and the drums of Cleveland Army Cadet Force.

The parade will be reviewed in Church Square by the Deputy Lieutenant of County Durham Colonel Arthur Charlton and the Mayor of Hartlepool Councillor Brenda Loynes.

The focus will then switch to the car park of the National Museum of the Royal Navy and the surrounding area.

There will be a chance to meet members of the Armed Forces at a range of military display stands including the Royal Navy, 8 Rifles, the Royal Engineers, Royal Signals, 883 Postal and Courier Squadron Hartlepool, 201 Field Hospital, the Hartlepool detachments of the Sea and Air Cadets, local armed forces associations and the Royal British Legion. There will also be a children’s fairground and stalls selling tasty treats.

In the Museum itself, the quayside will be transformed into a 1940s street party with live music, swing dancing, World War 2 re-enactors plus lots more. The Museum will be waiving its normal entry fees - admission will be in return for a donation. Please note that due to the various activities, parking in the Museum car park will be for disabled parking only.

In the neighbouring Jackson Dock, the Sea Cadets will be demonstrating their sailing skills, while on the land overlooking the dock there will be a mine clearance display by 103 Field Squadron Royal Engineers and cadet teams will be going against the clock in a ‘gun run’ competition. The day will end at 4.30pm.

Mike Facchini, Chairman of Hartlepool Armed Forces Liaison Group, said: “Hartlepool’s commitment to the Armed Forces is second-to-none, so I hope people will make a date in their diaries for this very special event and come along and show how much they care.

“It will be a great day out for all the family and a fine way to thank our servicemen and women, past and present, for their dedication and bravery.”

Councillor Lee Cartwright, Hartlepool Borough Council’s Armed Forces Champion, said: “We owe a huge debt of gratitude to our Armed Forces for the sacrifices they make to keep our country safe.

“I very much hope people will turn out in force for this, one of the most important events in Hartlepool’s annual calendar, to show their pride in our servicemen and women.”

Rachel Shepherd, Events Manager for the National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool, said: “We are delighted to be hosting the town’s celebration of Armed Forces Day along with our partner organisations.

“It really is going to be a jam-packed day of family fun and we’re looking forward to welcoming as many people as possible to celebrate this special day with us.”

For updates visit www.hartlepool.gov.uk/armed-forces-day or ‘Hartlepool Armed Forces Group’ on Facebook.