Moray’s Armed Forces Day staged first time in Buckie
Date Added - 08/06/12
Moray’s Armed Forces Day will be held for the first time in Buckie this year, and will take place a week before the rest of the UK.
The national day of homage to the UK’s military has previously been held in Elgin, Lossiemouth, Forres and Keith, but this year it is Buckie’s turn to host the area’s tribute.
The decision to hold the event a week before the national day on June 30th was taken to help reduce the demand on the area’s armed forces, who would be in demand to attend ceremonies elsewhere in Scotland.
The Moray event on June 23rd is bigger than previous Armed Forces Day celebrations. There will be a parade of serving personnel, veterans and cadets led by a pipe band from 2622 Squadron Lossiemouth, presentation of military awards at the town’s war Memorial, followed by a Search-and Rescue demonstration off the harbour. The demonstration will show how the Buckie RNLI and RAF Search and Rescue organisations work together during an incident.
The staged incident can be viewed from Bank Lane, where a military marquee will house a Royal British Legion bar, equipment from the Royal Engineers, and information displays.
Service personnel will be on hand to discuss life in the military with the public.
During the day the Buckie RNLI boathouse and lifeboat will be open to the public, and RNLI volunteers will be on hand to guide visitors around the premises and vessel.
Personnel from local regiments and RAF will be marching the route from the Royal British Legion to the War Memorial, where the salute will be taken by the Lord-Lieutenant of Banffshire, Clare Russell.
Host of the event is Convener of the Moray Council, Cllr Stewart Cree.
He said: “The Moray Council is delighted help mark the enormous contribution made by members of the Armed Forces, both in times of conflict and ion their peace-time support role.
“It is particularly fitting that on this occasion we will also witness the capabilities of the RAF search and rescue service, and their partnership with our local RNLI.”
The parade commences at 3pm sharp and will see personnel past present and future march to the town’s war memorial.
Medals will be presented amid a Tornado flypast down the length of Buckie High Street, after which the parade will march to the refreshment tent and displays off Bank Street.
Poster of the 2012 event can be downloaded by clicking here.
| Time | Whats happening |
|---|---|
| 1510 | Parade starts from Buckie Royal British Legion and marches down High Street towards War Memorial at Cluny Square |
| 1520 | Parade halts at memorial and salutes, flypast down High Street and over the memorial by Tornado from RAF Lossiemouth |
| 1521 | Convener of Moray Council, Cllr Stewart Cree, welcomes parade and public |
| 1523 | Lords Lieutenant of Banffshire and Moray address |
| 1526 | Medal Presentation to serving personnel |
| 1545 | Prayer |
| 1548 | Parade marches off towards Bank Street and disperses to marquee area. Marquee hosting Royal British Legion bar, military displays, light snacks |
| 1620 approx | RAF/ RNLI Search and Rescue demonstration offshore in view of Bank Street site, with commentary by RAF/RNLI. |
More details at www.moray.gov.uk or from Moray Council on 01343 563601.
