Barnsley Council will be holding two virtual events to celebrate the borough’s Armed Forces community including currently serving troops, service families, veterans and cadets.
There will be a virtual raising of the flag ceremony on Monday 22 June and virtual celebrations on Saturday 27 June, which is National Armed Forces Day.
The council is proud to be part of the Armed Forces Community Covenant, making sure that people will not be disadvantaged in accessing services as a result of serving in the military.
This special day encourages people to show their support and provide a much-valued morale boost for the troops and their families, and there’s more information at www.ArmedForcesDay.org.uk.
Although the Mayor of Barnsley would usually invite people to enjoy celebrations outside the town hall and in Penistone across the week, this year the celebrations are going virtual. Please head to our Facebook or Twitter pages at 10.30am on both Monday 22 June and Saturday 27 June to watch and virtually join in with the services.
Residents are invited to join in the events at 10.30am by heading to the council’s Facebook or Twitter pages to watch a welcoming speech from the Mayor, Cllr Pauline Markham, a prayer from the Rev Canon Stephen Race, Area Dean of Barnsley, and the raising of the flag to the sound of the Barnsley Music Education Hub playing the National Anthem. On Saturday 27 June there will also be videos shared throughout the day of speeches from councillors, music from the Barnsley Music Education Hub and much more.
Mayor of Barnsley, Cllr Pauline Markham, said: “I’m so pleased that we can still celebrate our armed forces, albeit in a rather different way this year. Once again, I’m honoured to be a part of it and hope people can join me online.”
People can also join in by sharing their stories and photographs online using the hashtag #SaluteOurForces