ISLE OF WIGHT CELEBRATES ARMED FORCES WEEK WITH FLAG RAISING CEREMONY

The Isle of Wight Council marked the start of Armed Forces Week with a flag-raising ceremony on Monday (24th June). Civic leaders and councillors, including the Isle of Wight Council’s Armed Forces Champion Councillor Ian Dore, Isle of Wight Council vice-chairman Councillor Vanessa Churchman, Deputy Lieutenant Nicolas Oulton and the Isle of Wight High Sheriff Graham Biss, gathered for the occasion at a ceremony held at County Hall in Newport. A number of representatives from the Island’s emergency services were also in attendance. Cadet Corporal Chloe Stemmet had the honour of raising the flag. Armed Forces Day is an annual event celebrated in June to commemorate the service, past and present, of men and women serving in the British Armed Forces. The council also took the opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to honour the Armed Forces Covenant, which sets out the authority’s relationship with the Armed Forces and the services available to current and former personnel and their families. National Armed Forces Week culminates in Armed Forces Day on Sunday 30th June when a flurry of activities will take place along Ryde Esplanade, including a Red Arrows flyover, a parachute display, a parade and more. For more information and to join in, visit https://isleofwightarmedforcesday.co.uk.