“Privilege and an honour” for Wrexham to host Armed Forces Day on Saturday says Mayor

The Mayor has said he is looking forward to a “spectacular” event on Saturday in Wrexham town centre.

The Mayor of Wrexham Brian Cameron has said “It is a privilege and an honour for Wrexham, and the County Borough, to be holding this event – especially in the year where we’ve just been awarded city status”.

The Mayor was speaking shortly after the Armed Forces Day flags were raised above the Guildhall.

We asked the Mayor what the event meant to him, “I am fortunate I come from a military family. My father was in the Army during the war, my mother was in the ATS. My father in law was in The Royal Welch Fusiliers during the war. It means an awful lot.

“Not only does that mean a lot to me, it means an awful lot to the people of Wrexham. You will only have to turn up on Saturday and see the amount of people that will turn up. I think it’s a fantastic event and it’s something that should be carried on in the future.

Speaking about the flag raising he added, “It is right we do this, there are a number of events this year, on June 6th we had the D-Day memorial, on the 25th of this month we have the Falklands 40th anniversary. Many people from Wales, North Wales and Wrexham perished in that war.

“I think it is important that flags are flown to so people can remember what has gone on.”

The Mayor was confident in the people of Wrexham attending the free event on Saturday, “I would encourage people to come along, it is one of the most spectacular things that people in Wrexham support, and I just think it will be a fantastic event.”

Details on the Armed Forces Day event on Saturday:

Saturday will see crowds of all ages descend into Wrexham to celebrate Wales Armed Forces Day 2022.

The council will be flying the flag above the Guildhall ready for the big day which will see a parade of 300 marching servicemen and veterans, and a fly past by the City of Lincoln Lancaster Bomber part of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

There’ll be lots more to see and do and exhibitions and displays will be open from 10.00am including inflatables, an active field kitchen and field hospital, representatives from the Queen’s Dragoon Guards, Royal Armoured Corps with a Challenger 2 Tank, Welsh Guards, Royal Navy, RAF, RLC, and the Royal Welsh alongside armed forces charities such as the Royal British Legion and Woody’s Lodge.

The parade will form up on Bodhyfryd from 10am and will begin at 10.30 led by the Royal Welsh Band accompanied by the Queens Dragoon Guards Farrier Major Mark Holland with the regimental mascot LCpl Jones a Welsh Mountain Pony and the Royal Welsh regimental mascot Shenkin IV with Goat Major Sergeant Mark Jackson. The rest of the parade will follow closely behind.

They’ll leave Bodhyfryd and march along Chester Street, High Street, Hope Street, Queens Street, Lambpit Street, left under the arch and onto Llwyn Isaf where they’ll come to attention for the official opening ceremony.

Speeches will be given by Ian Bancroft, Chief Executive, who will welcome everyone to the event, Cllr Beverley Parry Roberts, Armed Forces Champion, who will thank the Armed Forces Community and Brigadier Andrew Dawes CBE, Commander 160th (Welsh) Brigade and head of the Army in Wales, followed by the National Anthems.

The Battle of Britain Flight Lancaster Bomber will fly past at 13.38.

The event will continue until the closing ceremony on Llwyn Isaf at 15.45.

Throughout the day everyone is free to enjoy the exhibitions, chat with the representatives of all three armed services and enjoy their exhibitions and displays. There’ll be refreshments available, both alcoholic and non alcoholic and entertainment from the bandstand.

Entertainment on the Band Stand
11:30 – 12:15 – Ifton Colliery Band
12:15 – 13:00 – Rhos Male Voice Choir
13:00 – 13:45 – Royal Welsh Band
13:45 – 15:45 – The Big Beat

Corner of Hope Street and Henblas Street:
11.00 – 12.00 RAF Cadet Band
12.00 – 12.30 Royal Welch Fusiliers Corps of Drums Volunteers
12.30 – 13.30 Gwent & Powys ACF Band

At 3.45 there will be closing ceremony and speeches by the Mayor, Cllr Brian Cameron and Air Commodore Adrian (Dai) Williams OBE ADC RAF Air Officer followed by a Wales Short Sunset ceremony by the Royal Welsh band and march off.