Residents and visitors turned out in their thousands on Saturday (25th June) to show their support at the South Wales Armed Forces Day event.
Over 10,000 people descended on Caerphilly to show their support for the Armed Forces community at the event, which started with an impressive military parade through the town centre.
Hundreds of Armed Services personnel, cadets and veterans marched through the streets to rapturous applause from the thousands of people of all ages who lined the streets to show their support and to say thank you to the Armed Forces.
The parade was followed by a special Drum Head Service, which was held against the backdrop of Caerphilly Castle. The service provided an opportunity to remember those who have lost their lives in the line of duty, and featured contributions from the First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones AM and the Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns MP.
Following this, the attention turned to a fantastic family fun day event on the Owain Glyndwr Playing fields. The area was taken over by military stalls and marquees as well as a music stage and events arena which included semaphore displays, cadet gun run displays, drill displays – and perhaps the highlight of the afternoon, a spectacular parachute jump courtesy of the Royal Logistic Corps (RLC) Silver Stars parachute display team.
Phil Hubbard, Chair of the South Wales Armed Forces Day Committee said:
We’re really proud to have been able to hold Armed Forces Day South Wales in Caerphilly for the first time this year. It has become an important annual event in South Wales which has grown both in armed forces’, veterans’ and their families’ involvement and the support and attendance of the general public, which was fantastic in Caerphilly. I would like to thank everyone who has helped made it possible, especially Caerphilly County Borough Council and all of our sponsors. The spectacular displays and activities made the day a fantastic family day out.
Brigadier Martyn Gamble, Commander 160th Infantry Brigade and Headquarters Wales added:
Armed Forces Day is a wonderful opportunity for us to collectively share the opportunities and the sacrifices that Armed Forces give to Wales and to the nation and we’re delighted to have celebrated Armed Forces Day South Wales this year in Caerphilly.
The event was organised and coordinated by the South Wales Armed Forces Day committee – a dedicated team of volunteers – and supported by Caerphilly County Borough Council.
Cllr Dianne Price, Mayor of Caerphilly County Borough Council said:
We were absolutely delighted to host such a prestigious occasion, and it was wonderful to see so many people turn out to show their support for the Armed Forces community. I must also pay tribute to the small group of dedicated volunteers who make up the Armed Forces Day organising committee – without their dedication and drive, this event certainly would not have been possible and we were delighted to have played a supporting role in delivering such an occasion.