This Saturday, the 28th June is Armed forces day and the region will be celebrating.
Service personnel and their families from across the Manchester have been invited to the event in Piccadilly Gardens, which is held to celebrate and recognise the contribution of the armed forces throughout the ages.
This year’s event comes just ahead of the 100th anniversary of the day Britain entered into the First World War and continued fighting until November 11, 1918.
A century later, Manchester will recreate military life at that time through a living history character, dressed as soldier talking about trench conditions.
Visitors to the event, held from11am- 5pm, will also be able to meet current and former service personnel and see a light gun display, military vehicles and the cockpit of a Jet Provost used by the RAF.
At 11.30 there will be a Veterans’ Static Parade of Standards, followed by music throughout the afternoon and a live performance from the Lancashire Artillery Band. This year’s event will have include taster work-out classes from British Miliary Fitness, led by serving members of the armed forces.
In Tameside, the borough celebrates Armed Forces Day in and around Victoria Park, Denton, with support from the Ministry of Defence.
At 11am there will be a short service of remembrance at the war memorial led by the borough dean, Father Alec Mitchell of St Anne’s Church, Denton. Then, from 1pm, the focus is the park bandstand with live music from a range of top-class performers.
There will be a huge variety of free family-friendly activities, including a climbing wall, mini-assault course, free face-painting as well as a wide range of arts and crafts. The emergency services will be present as will members of the Royal British Legion, air cadets, the Scout and Guide Associations and Tameside Cultural Services.
Military vehicles will be on display in the civic square and refreshments will be available from Victoria Park Community Centre.
