Bideford salutes start of armed forces week with Victoria park flag raising event

On 20th June Torridge District Council combined with Bideford Town Council for this now annual parade to honour the Armed Forces at the beginning of Armed Forces Week by holding a Flag Breaking Ceremony in Victoria Park Bideford.

The Tarka Pipe Band led the parade from the Quay in Bideford to the flagstaff at Victoria Park which consisted of serving Royal Marines from 11 Amphibious Trails and Training at Arromanches Camp, Instow, veterans from the Armed Forces, Cadets, Cubs and Brownies.

The Naval Padre from RMB Chivenor, Rev Janice Honey Morgan, conducted the service with the Bideford Town Band providing the music and the Buglar for the Last Post.  St Mary’s School Choir entertained the gathering with a medley of songs and Mayor's Cadet Oliver Humphries raised the flag.

Chair of Torridge District Council Councillor Mervyn Langmead said: “I would like to thank every man, woman and child for attending this year's Armed Forces Day Flag Raising ceremony. In so doing, you are showing your support to our Armed Forces, who work tirelessly to defend the United Kingdom and its interests throughout the world while also working on projects to fight terrorism, promote peace, deliver aid and much needed infrastructure to war torn areas.
Reserves and regulars we honour you all and will never forget the many of our ex-servicemen and women who now give their free time helping the Sea Cadets, Air Cadets and Army Cadets, at over 3,000 locations across the country.

What we must remember of course, is how our armed forces put their lives on the line to make a better and safer world for us all to live in, and we remember that they could not do their job without the support of family and friends.”