More details released for Wales Armed Forces Day - Newport
Posted on Monday 20th March 2023
In less than 100 days, Newport will host the Wales National Armed Forces Day event and more details about the programme can now be revealed.
Taking place on Saturday 24 June, the day will begin at 10am with military displays along the riverside between The Riverfront and the University of South Wales city centre campus.
Organisations such as the Royal British Legion, the Royal Naval Association, Help for Heroes, SSAFA, Help for Heroes, Newport Veterans Hub, GAVO, Alabare, Blind Veterans UK, Woodys Lodge, Fighting with Pride, Blesma, St John Cymru and GAVO will also have stalls inside the theatre and arts centre.
In the morning, there will be a parade in the city centre led by the Regimental Band and Corps of Drums of The Royal Welsh and including representatives from the armed services and veterans from across Wales.
There will be much more going on during the day including the Tigers Army Parachute Display Team who will “drop in” somewhere in the city centre.
City centre activities will finish at 3pm but there will be a free, ticketed concert in Rodney Parade from 4pm to 6pm (booking details to follow). The Regimental Band and Corps of Drums of The Royal Welsh will be among those performing.
Councillor Jane Mudd, Leader of Newport City Council, said: “We are determined to make it a very special day to demonstrate our appreciation and gratitude to those who serve or have served our country.
“We’ve already got a wonderful programme planned, some of which can be revealed now but there will be more thrilling news to come over the coming weeks and months before the big day itself.”
Councillor Mark Spencer, the council’s armed forces champion, said: “It will be a great day out and we hope many members of the armed forces, their families and veterans will join us so we can show them how much their service means to us and our communities.”
Armed Forces Day in Wales is a partnership event between councils, Welsh Government, the tri-services –Royal Navy, Army and RAF – and other partners.
It is an opportunity for people to show their support for the Armed Forces community including veterans, those currently serving, cadets and their families.
A decision was made in 2021 that the annual event would travel across all the Welsh regions and last year it took place in Wrexham.
Newport will officially hand over to Swansea, next year’s hosts, before a military ceremony at sunset ends the day’s events on 24 June.
More guests and acts will be announced in the run-up to the big day. For more information visit www.newport.gov.uk/armedforcesday or following the council on Facebook and Twitter.