Wiltshire Armed Forces and Veterans Celebrations
GENERAL AGM IS ON THE 5TH SEPTEMBER 7.30 START AT THE WESLEY ROAD CLUB.
What a weekend we had
just some of the kind words we have seen…
Dear Jon,
Thank you so much for your kind invitation to the Party in the Park on Saturday.
Nigel and I both enjoyed ourselves very much, as I am sure did all those who attended, in such glorious sunshine.
The cakes were delicious.
Kind Regards,
David Lewis
Dear Maryrose and John,
On behalf of Angela and myself may I congratulate you and everyone else involved in the absolutely magnificent event in Trowbridge over the weekend. It was not only enjoyable for the thousands who turned out to enjoy it and watch the parades but there was a real feeling of community among the crowds which I am quite sure was greatly appreciated by everyone.
We were greatly honoured to be at the heart of such a wonderful event. Please convey our sincere thanks to everyone involved.
Yours
D
The Committee would like to send a very big thank you for the support Wadworth are giving to those serving personnel appearing in Trowbridge, The Royal Artillery taking up their right to march in Freedom of Town.
The bottles of Tommy’s Ale, brewed to show appreciation and support to UK Armed Forces, will we are sure be very well received in the sunny weather predicted this weekend.
The Royal Artillery Band will lead the Procession from County Hall at 2pm on Sunday 30th, followed by gun carriages, hundreds of troops, Standard Bearers, veterans, Cadet Units and 2 other Bands.
Please come along to show your appreciation of our Forces and join us at the Service and Concert with Royal Artillery Band at the Bandstand immediately following the Parade
As Chairman of the Wiltshire Armed Forces and Veterans’ Weekend I am delighted to say that despite some minor competition from the National Armed Forces Day in Salisbury on the same weekend we have managed to fill all our pitches and have another tremendous weekend of fun, activities and stalls to see for all the family.
A sobering thought is that since the end of the Second World War in 1945 there have only been two years during which British soldiers have not been killed on active service, namely; 1968 and 2016 as the graph below shows:
We are reminded every year of the tremendous work our Armed Forces undertake on our behalf and we must not underrate the contribution they make to ensuring that the United Kingdom is a safe place for our children to grow up in.
We must also remember the fantastic contribution made by all our Emergency Services and it is especially heartening that we are always so well supported by the Fire and Rescue Service, Police and Ambulance Service, whose teams will be with us in Trowbridge this year.
Once again this year we are expecting a wide variety of stalls, and activities and the highlight of the weekend will be that of the Royal Artillery exercising the freedom of Trowbridge and marching through the town as part of the parade on Sunday accompanied by their guns. A spectacle to behold!
I do hope that you will join me in welcoming all our Armed Forces, Veterans, Emergency Services, their friends and families and wider friends to Trowbridge for what I hope, will prove to be another fantastic weekend of fun, frivolity, great displays and super attractions. Indeed this years Wiltshire Armed Forces and Veterans’ Weekend is once again heading towards the best ‘Party in the Park’ in the West Country, if not the whole of the UK. I do hope you will come along with all your family and have a fantastic time saying thank you to all our uniformed services whilst have a great family day out.
Kind regards, Jon Wort
Click on the link below to find the booking forms
Message from the Chairman, Wiltshire Armed Forces and Veterans’ Celebrations:
Thank you to everyone who helped make the 14th Wiltshire Armed Forces and Veterans’ Celebrations (WAFVC) 2018 such an outstanding event. Whilst I appreciate that one of the hottest summers on records has certainly helped, the event takes place because of a great team and great teamwork. Whilst it would be unfair of me to single out individuals for praise I would like to pay a public tribute to; all members of the Committee, Wiltshire Council, the MOD, all traders and exhibitors, all companies and supporters who helped us in so many ways, all those who visited the event and last, but by no means least Trowbridge Town Council, without whose support and permission the event would not take place.
I also must thank the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight whose Lancaster flypast as Padre Gilbert said the Grace will remain as a unique moment in my memory.
I am delighted to hear that Salisbury has been chosen to be the venue for the National Armed Forces Day (NAFD) and look forward to cooperating and assisting them in what will, undoubtedly be a challenging year. I wish them success in accepting the baton from the Llandudno team and look forward to seeing the spectacular event they are planning.
I would also like to take the opportunity to tell all WAFVC supporters that 2019 will see the WAFVC event taking place in Trowbridge. We will continue to build on the solid foundations of an event that enters its 15th year. The date has yet to be finally decided, but it will be either the 22-23rd June 2019 or 29-30 June 2019. Once the date has been decided we will let everyone know.
I would like to finish my message with an extract from a thank you letter I have received from the High Sheriff of Wiltshire, Mrs Nicky Alberry, who says:
“What a splendid event you and your committee put on in Trowbridge Park. I had no idea that it was such a huge mixture of all things “military” - both past and present. So many different experiences - something for everyone”.
Once again, huge thanks to everyone involved and I look forward to seeing you all in Trowbridge in June 2019, which again will provide “something for everyone”.
Kind regards,
Jon Wort
Chairman
FROM THE ORGANISERS
From the Committee, we would like to thank all Military Personal, VIP's, Traders, re-enactors and living history groups, Exhibitors, Charities, helpers. But mostly the public, you make the weekend for us. See you all next year
