Events across Nottingham are taking place to mark Armed Forces Day this Saturday.
Nottingham Castle will mark the event with the last chance to see the Mercian Regiment museum before the gates close ahead of its £30m transformation, with free entry until Sunday.
To thank our armed forces there will be an official banner displayed on the front of Council House in Old Market Square.
Events have already started this week, with the Armed Forces Day Fly a Flag ceremony. Nottingham City Council and the County Council came together to raise the official flag to mark the start of a week of celebrations.
The whole of 2018 has seen celebrations and events have taken place across the city to recognise the service, dedication and sacrifice of the armed forces. These include the Albert Ball Commemoration Service and Nottingham City Transport Bus Naming.
Plus, hundreds turned out to one of the largest military parades seen in the city in recent years as HMS Sherwood reservists, joined Sea Cadets, veterans and The Band of HM Royal Marines Portsmouth to parade through the city for their Freedom Parade. That same day Nottingham City Transport honoured the East Midlands’ only Royal Navy Reserve unit by naming a bus after them.
Ahead of Armed Forces Day this Saturday 30 June – the City Council, County Council and seven other borough and district councils unveiled the chosen design for the new memorial to remember Nottingham and Nottinghamshire’s fallen from the First World War.
The monument is part of the 100 year centenary commemorations of the 1914 to 1918 First World War. The winning design, proposed by Letts Wheeler Architects, will display the names of the 14,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen and civilians at Victoria Embankment, incorporating a roll of honour for armed services fatalities from the whole of the county and will be the first of its kind.
£50,000 still needs to be raised for the project. Local businesses and residents from across Nottinghamshire are being encouraged to contribute, which can be done online at https://nosf.org.uk/roll-of-honour.html
Later in the year there will be commemorations to mark Armistice and Remembrance Sunday. Plus in September there will be the Battle of Britain Service and Parade. Later in the year a whole programme of events will be revealed to commemorate the World War One Centenary.
Cllr Brian Grocock, the Armed Forces Champion for Nottingham City Council, said: “2018 is about honouring and recognising our Armed Forces and the vital role they play in the security of our country.
“Armed Forces Day, Fly the Flag and Reserves Day, provide a wonderful opportunity for us all to acknowledge the dedication and commitment of service men and women, past and present.
“As we approach the centenary of the end of the First World War and we mark the 100th birthday of the Royal Air Force, we continue to remember the sacrifices they have made over generations, and will continue to make up to the present day. The City Council will work to ensure that their contributions are recognised.”