All You Need To Know About Armed Forces Weekend in Weymouth
Continuing the celebrations for the 80th anniversary of VE Day, the final preparations are underway for the return of Weymouth Town Council’s flagship Armed Forces Weekend event. Here’s all you need to know to make the most out of next weekend and get the photos and footage you need.
Events confirmed at the following locations include:
Saturday 21st June
Jubilee Clock
From 10am to 12.30pm, the Dorset Military Vehicle Association will showcase their historic military vehicles along the promenade between the Jubilee Clock and Weymouth Beach Office. Then at 12.30pm, the vehicles will leave the promenade and travel in convoy along the Esplanade to the D-Day Centre in Castletown, Portland – be sure to give them a cheer and a wave as they go past.
Schedule of musical entertainment by the clock:
10.30am to 11am – The Decadettes
11am to 11.30am – South Wales Police Band
11.30am to 12.15pm – The Decadettes
12.15pm to 12.45pm – South Wales Police Band
2pm to 2.30pm – South Wales Police Band
Charity and awareness stalls from various associations will be also set up near the Jubilee Clock throughout day.
Sunday 22nd June
Weymouth War Memorial, opposite The Prince Regent Hotel
11am Spitfire flypast along the seafront (subject to weather and aircraft serviceability.)
Following the flypast, an open-air service for all veterans takes place at the Weymouth War Memorial opposite the Prince Regent. The service includes a wreath laying ceremony carried out by the following individuals:
Colonel David Swann, Deputy Lieutenant of Dorset, Cllr Caroline Nickinson, Mayor of Weymouth, Lieutenant Commander Ray Forster (Navy), Major Scott Jinks, Royal Engineers (Army). And the wreath for the Raf will be laid by Mrs Mary Wrigley, 103, from the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force alongside Group Captain Robb Tripp (Rtd RAF).
Then a parade will take place along the seafront featuring marching bands and military vehicles, veterans, ex-service association members, standard bearers, and cadets.
Pavilion Forecourt
Enjoy entertainment including further marching band performances and a display of historic vehicles.
1pm – South Wales Police Band
1.30pm – South West Area Sea Cadet Band
2pm – Wessex Military Band
2.30pm – The Decadettes
3pm – Dolphin Marching Band
Jubilee Clock
Charity and awareness stalls from various associations will be set up near the clock throughout day.
ROAD CLOSURES
Road closures will be in place to allow the crowds to view the parade safely. On Sunday 22nd June between 10am and 1pm the following temporary road closures include:
Greenhill (from its junction with Dorchester Road to The Esplanade) Brunswick Terrace / Waterloo Place, William Street (from Greenhill to Victoria Street,) Lennox Street (from The Esplanade to Victoria Street) Astrid Way, The Esplanade (for its entire length), Pilgrims Way, South Parade and Belle Vue. Roads will reopen as soon as possible after the parade.
Monday 23rd June
The Armed Forces Weekend celebrations conclude on Monday 23rd June at 10.30am. Join the Mayor of Weymouth for the Armed Forces Flag Raising outside Weymouth Town Council’s offices, The New Town Hall, Commercial Road, Weymouth, DT4 8NG.
Quote from the Mayor of Weymouth
Cllr Caroline Nickinson, Mayor of Weymouth, said: “We are gearing up for one of Weymouth Town Council’s flagship events, the return of Armed Forces Weekend. As we continue the celebrations for the 80th anniversary of VE Day 80, next weekend’s events are a real highlight and attract thousands of people out onto the streets of Weymouth to celebrate the contributions made by our Armed Forces personnel – past, present and future.
“I’m honoured to be laying a wreath on behalf of the town during Sunday’s service, and I hope to see as many people as possible enjoying the array of activities being organised, from the military vehicle display and convoy to music from local groups and marching bands, to the spitfire flypast, service and parade, so do join us!”
For further details about the weekend, visit the website.
ENDS