REDDITCH saluted Armed Forces Day in style as hundreds of people came out to pay their respects to the country’s soldiers, sailors and aircrew.
Members of the armed forces, cadets, scouts and other groups, together with the local branch of the Royal British Legion, marched from the Town Hall to St Stephens Church for a service conducted by town centre chaplain the Reverend Paul Lawlor.
They were joined by local dignitaries including Deputy Lord Lieutenant Professor Michael Clarke, who addressed the throng, local MP Rachel Maclean, West Midlands MEP Jim Carver, borough Mayor Jenny Wheeler and borough council leader Councillor Bill Hartnett.
Afterwards the party returned to the Town Hall where a reception was held for members of the armed forces and their families and loved ones.
“The people of Redditch came out and fully supported the occasion and the Deputy Lord Lieutenant was singing the praises of the town,” said Coun Hartnett.
“Our armed forces are more important than ever, supporting us in times of peace, for example in civil emergencies like flooding, and in times of conflict in this ever changing world.”
As well as support coming from the 37th Signals Regiment which has a unit based in Redditch, a serving member of the Mercian Regiment, Sgt Stuart Collins, also joined the parade. The regiment has the freedom of the borough.
Coun Hartnett also thanked everyone who had baked cakes for the reception before making an appeal to people to support the local branch of the Royal British Legion: “We are trying top recruit more people to this very worthy organisation as the local branch is getting long in years and short on numbers, and I do believe one or two people joined on the day.”
Mrs Maclean added: “The Armed Forces in this country carry out an essential and fantastic job in protecting us from the forces of evil, and they have my wholehearted support all year round.
“It was also a wonderful chance to meet up with some of the people of the town and to take part in my first important civic event.”
