Weymouth Town Council has been awarded £10,000 by the Ministry of Defence to support its annual Armed Forces Weekend celebrations, taking place over Saturday 21st, Sunday 22nd, and Monday 23rd June.
The grant will go towards putting on a spectacular weekend of celebrations featuring our valued armed forces community, veteran’s associations, marching bands, military vehicle displays and a convoy, music from across the years to entertain the crowds, and a poignant service and parade on the Sunday. This year, the Town Council announced the service on Sunday 22nd June will begin a few minutes later than usual as a spitfire flypast is due to take place at 11am.
Mayor of Weymouth, Cllr Caroline Nickinson, who will lay a wreath at Sunday’s service, said: “We are honoured to learn that the Ministry of Defence has awarded Weymouth’s flagship Armed Forces Weekend a generous grant of £10,000. This will be used to help stage this prestigious event which attracts so many residents and visitors to come out onto the streets of Weymouth to honour our armed forces – past, present, and future.
“As we continue the celebrations for the 80th anniversary of VE Day 80, we look forward to welcoming veterans and their families to the town, and I’m sure the hotels and guest houses will be full with people who come from all over to recognise and support the incredible work that our Armed Forces personnel continue to contribute to our country.”
Cllr Joanna Dickenson, Weymouth Town Council’s Armed Forces Liaison, added: “We are thrilled to have a spitfire flypast confirmed – subject to weather and serviceability – on Sunday 22nd June, just before our annual service and parade. There’s nothing quite like the roar of a spitfire merlin engine, so look to the sky at 11am to see the pilot fly in from the Pavilion end of the beach to the Weymouth Cenotaph and in reverse. It should be a spectacular moment to cherish.”
Here’s all you need to know about the events confirmed so far:
Saturday 21st June
From 10am to 12.30pm, the Dorset Military Vehicle Association will showcase their historic military vehicles along the promenade between the Jubilee Clock and Weymouth Beach Office.
Enjoy music and entertainment throughout the day (times to be announced on the website.)
Then watch as the convoy of historic vehicles leaves the promenade at 12.30pm and travels along the Esplanade – be sure to give them a cheer and a wave as they go past.
Charity and awareness stalls from various associations will be set up near the Jubilee Clock throughout day.
Sunday 22nd June
11am Spitfire flypast along the seafront (subject to weather and aircraft serviceability) followed by an open-air service for all veterans at the Weymouth Cenotaph.
Then a parade will take place along the seafront featuring marching bands and military vehicles. All ex-service association members, and their standard bearers are welcome to participate in the service and parade.
In the afternoon, enjoy entertainment including further marching band performances and a display of historic vehicles on the Pavilion Forecourt.
Charity and awareness stalls from various associations will be set up near the Jubilee Clock throughout day.
If you would like to take part in the service or parade, please register by emailing:
events@weymouthtowncouncil.gov.uk by the deadline of Monday 9th June. Or complete the online form on the website.
Monday 23rd June
At 10.30am, Weymouth Town Council will raise the Armed Forces Flag outside its offices at the New Town Hall, Commercial Road, Weymouth, DT4 8NG
For updates about the weekend, visit the website.
