The Queen’s Royal Hussars – Freedom of Warwick Town

The Armed Forces Week celebrations begin on Saturday 20 June with The Queen’s Royal Hussars freedom parade around Warwick town centre. Warwick Town Council granted Freedom of the Town to the regiment in recognition of its longstanding history with the town. Its antecedent regiment The Queen’s Own Hussars established its Home Headquarters in Trinity Mews, which is now itself home to the regiment’s museum.

The regiment will parade from 2:30pm around the town, starting at Castle Street then turning on to High Street, Swan Street, Market Square and Church Street, back to Castle Street. Residents are encouraged to line the streets, with free paper Union flags being handed out by the Town Council from 2pm.

Armed Forces flag raising

On Monday 22 June, the Armed Forces flag will be raised at the Town Hall in Royal Leamington Spa. The Chairman of Warwick District Council will raise the flag alongside, the District’s Mayors and military representatives.

Salute Our Forces

Armed Forces Week is an opportunity to show support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community, from currently serving personnel to Service families, veterans and cadets. Throughout the week, the Council will be sharing content on social media to show support for the Armed Forces community, using the #SaluteOurForces hashtag.

Armed Forces Day Community Event

On Saturday 27 June, the District will mark Armed Forces Day with a free community event in Leamington’s Pump Room Gardens from 11am to 4pm.

Families visiting the event will be able to get free hot dogs, burgers and ice creams for the children (while stocks last) and enjoy free entertainment including a bouncy castle and inflatable slide.

A Sikh Langar will also be provided (samosas/pakoras etc.) courtesy of Guru Gobind Singh Gurdwara, free of charge while stocks last.

Further food and drink will be available to purchase, including tea/coffee and a bar.

The event will be opened with a military parade from current and former serving personnel, and standard bearers with the Commonwealth flags. The parade will begin at 10:30am to finish in time for the opening of the event at 11am.

Local regiments and Warwick’s military museums will also be taking part in the day, providing visitors an opportunity to discover more about the past, present and future of the UK’s armed forces, including more about a career in the military. The Royal British Legion will also be present, to continue their poppy appeal.

Dormer Place will be closed from Augusta Place to the Parade in order to host a variety of military tanks that people can interact with. The road will be closed from 8am to 6pm.

Music will be provided courtesy of Vintage Celine Rose, Man Made Moon and Royal Spa Brass.

Councillor Pam Redford, Chairman of Warwick District Council and the Council’s Armed Forces Champion, said:

“Our armed forces community have dedicated their lives to serving our country and it is important that as a district we come together not only to celebrate, but also to say thank you.

“This is a completely free event with guaranteed fun for all the family that has only gone from strength to strength over the years, so please do come and join us to celebrate and thank our armed forces.”

The event has been made possible thanks to contributions from Warwick District Council, Royal Leamington Spa Town Council, Wright Roofing, Ian Williams and D&K Heating, with event support from the Royal British Legion, Slate Events and CJs Events Warwickshire.

More information about the event and programme.

Evensong at St Mary’s, Warwick

The week will culminate in a Choral Evensong at St Mary’s Church in Warwick on Sunday 28 June from 5:30pm, featuring the full choir and a service focussed on the armed forces community. Further details will be available shortly.