District proudly shows support for Armed Forces

Cllr Michael Lyons, Vice-Chairman of Folkestone & Hythe District Council, will officially raise the Armed Forces flag in a ceremony at the council’s headquarters in Castle Hill Avenue on Monday, 25 June.

It will then fly proudly from the flagpole ahead of Reservists Day on Wednesday, 27 June and Armed Forces Day on Saturday, 30 June.

Cllr Michael Lyons, Vic e Chairman of Folkestone & Hythe District Council said: 

Armed Forces Day is an opportunity to give thanks to our current and former servicemen and women and to show them our support.
Our whole district has a proud military history, and service personnel make up an important part of the community we serve so we are always glad to recognise them in this way.

There are several events planned to celebrate the day across the district, including a showing of the 1964 film Zulu at the Silver Screen Cinema at the Town Hall at 7pm on Saturday, 30 June. The film depicts the heroic defence of a small mission station in South Africa in 1879 by a garrison of 150 Royal Engineers under attack from 4,000 Zulu warriors. Proceeds will be donated to armed forces charity SSAFA.

On Sunday, 1 July, military-themed stands and displays will pack The Leas from 11am to 4.30pm. There will be static aircraft displays; air, sea and army cadets, a parade, and entertainment including a parachute display by 3PWRR ‘The Tigers’ and a performance by the Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas.

And on Saturday, 7 July at Hawkinge Community Centre there will be a fete with an armed forces theme. It runs from 9am to 4pm at the Spitfire Ground in Heron Forstal Avenue.