North West Armed Forces Festival in Southport

ARMED Forces Day in Southport was held over 2 days:- Saturday, 28 June and Sunday, 29 June 2025 as the:- 'North West Armed Forces Festival.'  If you are unaware, Armed Forces Day, in the UK, is an opportunity to show support for the Armed Forces community, including:- currently serving troops, Service families, veterans, and cadets.

The 2025 event in Southport started at Adventure Coast Southport (Formally Pleasureland), on:- Saturday, 28 June with:- 'Frontline Sounds,' a live music event.  But the main activities took place on the Sunday, starting with a short:- 'Drumhead Service,' within in the Princess Diana Gardens (Town Hall Gardens) with Rev Ben Dyer, from Chris Church in Southport, conducting the service. This was followed by a Military Parade, from Chapel Street at the junction with Tulketh Street to Southport Pier.

The Parade marched past the saluting dignitaries on the right of Nevill Street adjacent to the Queen Victoria statue where the Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside (representing His Majesty the King) will receive the salute.

The Parade will continue across the Promenade onto the area next to Silcock's Funland and onto the end of Southport Pier where the Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside, Mark Blundell, the Mayor of Sefton Cllr June Burns, various military Officers, then inspected those contingents involved in the parade, before being dismissed by the Parade Marshall.

The rest of the day had activities taking place on  King's Gardens, which included:- 

• Military recruiting displays and stands.
  

• Cadet Force stands.
  

• Musical entertainment on a stage, with seating available on the grassed in front of the stage area for the audience.
  

• Military vehicle displays (heavier vehicles will be placed on the Promenade).
  

• Masonic recruiting stands.
  

• Craft stalls.
  

• Food vendors and bars.
  

• Fairground rides.
  

• Paintball range.
  

• SSAFA gazebo.
  

• RBL Gazebo.

Sunday's fun also included other activates that took place both outside and inside The Atkinson.  These activities included:-

• Vehicle display with thanks to members of The Military Vehicle Trust.
  

• An interactive stand entitled:- 'Meet the Home Guard' which showcase different aspects of the Home Guard during:- 1943 to 1944. It gave lots of information about how people got recruited, a look at the Guard's personal kits and weaponry, medical equipment and communication tools.
  

• The Royal British Legion's Spitfire Craft Activity Tent.

Inside the Atkinson, you could find Southport's oldest family businesses, June The Florist's 'Fireplace Tribute' which was a decorate the fireplace in tribute to our Armed Forces. Plus, lots of things to see and do throughout the day. From Armed Forces Charities; Displays to military charities giving advice to veterans families and groups including:- Forces Employment, Veterans in Sefton, The Block, Bee Ethical and Ukraine United, all putting on displays. Other activities included the following shows:-

• A chance to hear the Incredible story of a Jewish Holocaust Survivor, Harry Kessler, entitled:- 'My Accidental Life.'
  

• Dagmara Wojciechowicz's  grandma's story as a member of the Polish Resistance during WW2:- 'Who Knew Halina?'
  

• A special performance by:- 'The Ukrainian United Choir.'
  

• 'I shouldn't be here' by Kris Wojtek.
  

• 'Yanks by the Seaside' by Euan Withersby.
  

• Ending with a Angela Brown's:- 'WW2 Fashion Show' with real vintage clothing collection is modelled by Air Cadets from the:- 611 Squadron.

On display you could see artefacts from the 2nd World War and hear Pete Tipping and Euan Wethersby as the demonstrated the influence of the Americans in the UK during WW2. Visitors to the venue could also get information about Andy Dziegiel's father, who was part of Bomber Command, and hear about how his aircraft was shot down and what happened when he became a prisoner of war. Not only that members of the Polish Community Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre, share items that tell the story of the Polish contribution to WW2.

The award winning cafe:- 'A Great Little Place' served up delicious fresh food and refreshments all day within the Atkinson, whilst supporting those taking part within the days activities.

Sunday was an incredible interesting day, with lots to see and do.  If you missed it all, the next UK Armed Forces Day will be held on:- 27 June 2026 throughout the UK. For more information please visit:- ArmedForcesDay.Org.UK.

More photos from this event can be found on the following:- 4 pages within this edition. What are your thoughts on this news topic? Email our Newsroom at:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com or send us a message on:- Mastodon, Facebook, or Twitter. Please do let us know as we love to hear your views....

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