Suffolk starts Armed Forces Week with county council pledge
Suffolk County Council has renewed its commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant as Armed Forces Week gets underway, with the county's Lord Lieutenant and council leader among those gathering to mark the occasion.
Why it matters: Armed Forces Week, which runs from Monday, 22 June, to Sunday, 28 June, is a national moment to recognise the service and sacrifice of military personnel — past and present — and their families. Suffolk County Council and Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service are both signatories to the Armed Forces Covenant, a pledge to support those who serve or have served.
The details: His Majesty's Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk, Mr Mark Pendlington, joined Council leader Councillor Mark Hadwen, Suffolk Armed Forces Commissioner Andrew Smith, fellow councillors and staff at a gathering to mark the start of the week. Representatives from Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service and soldiers from Ipswich-based 202 Squadron, 158 Regiment Royal Logistics Corps also attended.
What they're saying: Mr Pendlington said: "Armed Forces Week is an important time of the year. It is where we celebrate and support the incredible sacrifice and hard work of the Armed Forces network and I am honoured and delighted to lend my support."
Councillor Hadwen added: "I am very proud to be here to mark the start of Armed Forces Week. It is a week where we renew our commitment to supporting and working with serving and past personnel, and where Suffolk County Council comes together to uphold its commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant."
Councillor Tristan Gale, Suffolk County Council's Armed Forces Champion, said: "Armed Forces Week is our chance as a council and a community to express our support for the services and the Covenant. It is also to raise awareness of the role of the military and bring communities together to support service members and their families."
For context: The Armed Forces Covenant is a national scheme under which organisations pledge to recognise the unique obligations and sacrifices of the UK Armed Forces, work to remove disadvantages faced by service people, and acknowledge that special provision for service people may be justified by the effects of their service.
What's next: Armed Forces Week culminates with Armed Forces Day on Saturday, 27 June. This year's Suffolk event is hosted by Mid Suffolk District Council and takes place at Stowmarket Recreation Ground, off Finborough Road, from 11:00 to 15:00. Entry is free and the event is family-friendly, featuring military displays, live entertainment — including performances from the RAF Honington Band, Armed Forces Wives Choir and The Vibettes — plus a range of stalls and activities.
The bottom line: Suffolk's civic and military leaders have come together to mark the start of Armed Forces Week, reaffirming the county's commitment to those who serve — with a free family event in Stowmarket this Saturday offering the public a chance to show their support too.
Don't forget: If you enjoy our content, please add Ipswich.co.uk as a "preferred source" on Google so you can easily find more of the content you value.
This article cost us ~£21 to produce
It's free for you to read thanks to the generous support of our partners. Please support us by supporting them.
Below the line