Weston Armed Forces Weekend in conjunction with our friends from Weston Air Festival, provides arguably the biggest and best Free to Enter, regularly held, Armed Forces Event in the South-West.
Since 2014 we have been working together with the Air Festival Team to bring an exciting, exhilarating and interesting weekend and have rapidly increased our reputations, attracting an average attendance of over 100,000 visitors per day.
Weston Armed Forces Weekend 2019 started on Saturday 22nd June with a Parade of Standards, Serving Personnel, Veterans and Cadet Forces along the Seafront, led in style by the world-famous Band of HM Royal Marines (Plymouth) The front rank of Veterans in wheelchairs being pushed by the Cadets was a sight to behold and an evocative reminder of what the Covenant is about.
This was followed by an Opening Ceremony in the arena, during which the Mayor of Weston-super-Mare Cllr Mark Canniford handed over the Armed Forces Day Flag to be flown for the duration of the event. The Salute was taken by Brigadier Tom Lang RM DL.
This ceremony commenced two days of demonstrations, displays, drama, competitions, bands and musical items, celebrating all sections of our Armed Forces Community The first display was enthusiastically given by the Band of HM Royal Marines (Plymouth) much to the delight of the assembled crowds
We also had many stalls, stands and displays, available to visit in our “Armed Forces Village” showcasing the Regular and Reserve Forces, Associations and Veteran Organisations, the Cadet Forces and much more; whilst during the whole weekend, exhilarating Arial Displays including the RAF Red Arrows display team took place in the skies overhead.
On Saturday evening a wonderful “Gala Charity Dinner” was hosted by Somerset Legion House, the guest speaker was Mr Simon Weston CBE
On Sunday afternoon 23rd June, our Weekend closed with a Muster of Participants and “Sunset Ceremony” led by the Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service, Corps of Drums & Pipes. The Flag was returned to the Town Mayor for safe-keeping and the salute was taken by Air Marshal Julian Young RAF accompanied by Commodore Robert Mansergh RN Ret`d and many other VIP`s
Why not come and join us next year, spend a couple of days by the Seaside and have fun celebrating our “Armed Forces Community”