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Armed Forces Day

Thousands Turned Out To Celebrate At Mansfield Armed Forces Day

Over 13,500 people came into the Mansfield town centre on Sunday 3rd, July to enjoy a tribute to the armed forces. This is a massive 115% up the same Sunday last year.
 |  Katie Hogg  |  Made News

From the start to the end, the Market Place was busy with the public meeting the armed forces and enjoying the free entertainment provided by the 1940’s trio, the La di Dah’s and Darren who sang famous ‘Rat Pack ‘songs.

The day began from with the Mansfield District Corps of Drums leading a parade with representation from all the armed forces, standard bearers and associated charities from The Buttercross, West Gate to the Market Place.Free flags were handed out to wave as the parade passed by.

Organisations supporting the day included Royal Navy Reserves, HMS Sherwood, Royal Navy Association, Grenadier Guards, Mansfield Sea Cadets,384 Air cadets, Royal Air Force Association, Royal British Legion, North Notts & Mansfield District Veterans Support Group and Help for Heroes.

Also on the day hundreds of Free Top Secret activity booklets, glider planesflags, frisbee’s, bags, seeds and pens were given away. The public also enjoyed sittingin the vintage military vehicles, looking at the display of Riders motorcycles and the climbing on board the Fire Engines. There were over 30 craft stalls and a range of hot foods to enjoy.

Sue Rogers Operation Manager at the Mansfield BID who organised this day said “This was a wonderful day for all the familyand they turned out to show their support and to enjoy the day. 

The icing on the day was the Battle of Britain Memorial Flypast by the iconic Lancaster Bomber at the end of the day. How great was that moment it flew over our town centre with the theme from the Dam Busters film being played by Mansfield District Corps of Drums. Simply spectacular. 

What an emotional day, a day to be remembered for a long time.

Jay Rowlinson Mansfield BID CEO, who served in the army for over 30 years, proudly gave the opening speech. He said “today I’m thinking of the Ukraine and one of the reasons ‘we are free’ is the dedication of the Armed Forces and the fact that many people, often young people are talented and fighting for the country”.

Executive Mayor Andy Abrahams, who took part in the parade,said:

“It was fantastic to see so many people out in the Market Place celebrating our servicemen and women, saying thank you and helping to raise funds for the causes they support. Mansfield District Council was proud to work alongside the Mansfield BID team on Sunday to welcome visitors to the event in what was a tremendously successful day. The crowds really enjoyed the entertainment which captured the nostalgia of Armed Forces Day. Thank you to everyone who turned out, even in the unscheduled rain, and waited to see the prestigious flyby around 4pm, what a wow factor for all of us! 

We look forward to future successes with our town centre colleagues and working together to make Mansfield town centre vibrant and welcoming”.

The Armed Forces Day event is organised by Mansfield Business Improvement District (Mansfield BID) with support from Mansfield District Council, Working together for Mansfield.

Additional match funding is provided by the Ministry of Defence (MOD).  

If anyone would like to be part of next year’s Armed Forces Dayplease email Sue RogersThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit the mansfieldbid on Facebook