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Armed Forces Day 2012 - TA battalion to play big part
The 4th Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment –
the only detachment of the military with a base in Scarborough –
will be playing a high profile role on Armed Forces Day in the
town.
The battalion is bringing several displays
to the seafront this Saturday, 23 June, including a paintball range
and field kitchen, along with two transporter wagons and a weapons
display.
The Territorial Army Battalion provides
individuals through to company groups in support of the
regular Army and in particular the Yorkshire Regiment
battalions whilst on operations.
There are currently 30 members of The 4th
Battalion on duty in Afghanistan, serving alongside their
counterparts from The 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire
Regiment, with 50 soldiers having already returned after serving
with The 1st Battalion of the regiment.
Around 40 soldiers from The 4th
Battalion, which recruits heavily in the Scarborough area from its
base at The TA Centre in Coldyhill Lane, will also be on duty this
summer at the Olympic Games in London.
The team supporting Scarborough Armed
Forces Day is made up of the Scarborough Platoon (B Company whose
headquarters is in Middlesbrough) and supported again this year by
Headquarter Company (based in York). The overall commander is
“Scarborough lad” Major Ken Albon who is also Officer Commanding
(OC) of Headquarter Company.
Maj Albon, said: “We are very proud once
again to be associated with Armed Forces Day in Scarborough. To us
it’s the number one event in the country.
“It’s a great occasion to raise the profile
of 4 YORKS and engage young people in particular about the work we
do.
“In recent years members of 4 YORKS have
proudly served our country alongside regular soldiers on the front
line – it’s great for the battalion to also get the recognition it
deserves through events like Armed Forces Day.”
Scarborough Armed Forces Day is the Naval
Regional Commander’s keystone event in the North of England this
year and is expected to attract more than 15,000 people to the
town’s seafront.
Her Majesty’s Royal Marine Band Scotland
will demonstrate their skills with a 40-minute performance and the
Royal Navy will also be bringing their Royal Marines Fitness
Challenge and Climbing Tower to the event as well as “Food for
Life” healthy cooking demonstrations.
The Ravens parachute team will be dropping
into South Bay beach, while the Scarborough event will also feature
many other displays, parades, stalls and games.
Armed Forces Day in Scarborough takes place
a week ahead of the national celebrations in Plymouth.
Notes to
editors
A special thanks to sponsors and
supporters:
The Ministry of Defence, Yorkshire Coast
Radio, Yorkshire Coast Homes, Don Robinson’s Winston Churchill
Charity Trust, Bookers, W. Boyes & Co, ShopMobility, Central
Tramways, Jewsons, South Bay Traders, Military Adventure Park,
First TransPennine Express, Handelsbanken, Waterfront Café, Babnix,
Shoreline Suncruisers, Harbour View Café, Futurist, and Scarbrough
Dance Centre.
Special thanks also to:
Bruce Bedford, Kathryn Duck, Malcolm
Appleby, Gary Smith, Mandy Herrington and all stewards and
marshals. Brenda and Eric Horton, Sheila Fountain and all the
charity collectors. Scarborough Sea Cadets, RNLI, Scarborough
Rowing Club, Geoff Jefferson and John Heslington, Andy Walshe,
Brian Robinson, Scarborough Borough Council staff, Armed Forces Day
exhibitors and all the volunteers without whose help Armed Forces
Day would not have been possible.
With Armed Forces Day, the aim is
to:
Raise awareness of the role of the Royal
Navy, the Army, the Royal Air Force, Reservists, veterans, cadets
and the wider Armed Forces family in society.
Provide members of the public – including
Local Authorities and businesses – with the means to actively
engage in a celebration on Armed Forces Day.
Cement Armed Forces Day in the public
consciousness as the lead action oriented day to honour and
celebrate the work of the Armed Forces.
Reasons to show your support on
Armed Forces Day:
Our Armed Forces and veterans deserve your
support and recognition because of their outstanding contribution
to the country.
Our Armed Forces make personal sacrifices to
defend the UK and its interests and contribute to international
peace and security.
The Armed Forces and veterans form a highly
diverse community; the serving Armed Forces comprise over 15 per
cent Volunteer Reservists who also lead civilian lives in wider
society; all ex-Service personnel are veterans whatever their
age.
Adult Volunteers provide unstinting
commitment to Cadet organisations, enabling whole generations of
youngsters to achieve success in their lives and to become better
citizens.