Mason Moore | Hinckley Reporter | 21 May 2022
A SPECIAL service and parade is to take place in Hinckley on Armed Forces Day (Saturday, 25 June) to show support for the Armed Forces in a combined event which will also commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Falkland conflict.
The event is being organised by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council (HBBC) in association with the Hinckley Combined Armed Forces and Veterans Community and Churches Together, and the Hinckley Combined Ex-Services Association.
It will include representatives from several regiments, nationalities, sections and services, including local cadet forces.
Armed Forces Day, which is now in its 14th year in total, offers everyone a chance to thank the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community, from currently serving troops to service families, veterans and cadets.
Starting at 10.45am, a procession will leave from outside the Jaspers of Hinckley and march down Castle Street, into Argents Mead, where they will gather for the service, which will start at 11am – and it will be led by Rev. Ian Hill from Churches Together.
After the service, the parade will make their way down Castle Street and along Station Road, where a formal salute will be taken.
A variety of military vehicles and memorabilia will be displayed inside of Argents Mead for park-goers to take a look at – these have been generously supplied by the Charnwood MVT, which are affiliated with the Military Vehicle Trust and their members.
And, a walkabout ‘Captain Mainwaring’ will further be in the Mead, offering balloon modelling.
Coun. Danny Findlay, the Borough Council’s Armed Forces Champion, said: “This year as ever, offers an opportunity to highlight the sacrifices that were made for the freedoms that we enjoy today and to recognise the ongoing service that our Armed Forces undertake.
“The backdrop of Armed Forces Day 2022 is significant for the 40th Anniversary of the Falklands conflict, as well as more recent events such as servicemen and women supporting the national pandemic effort and now increased military deployments to Europe in the face of ongoing global security concerns.
He continued: “Armed Forces Day is both an opportunity to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice and a celebration for the steadfast service that our serving, reserves and veterans have given.
“The day offers the opportunity to consider the wider armed forces family such as those Cadet Forces, servicemen and women’s families and civilian support personnel.
He concluded: “Finally, I would both welcome and encourage citizens of Hinckley and Bosworth to come and support Armed Forces Day, previous events have been very well attended, with the historic vehicle collection receiving fantastic reviews.”
Details about the Falklands War
The Falklands War was an undeclared war which was held for ten weeks between Argentina and the United Kingdom, starting from 2 April and ending on 14 June in 1982.
It lasted a total of 74 days and was the first military action since World War II which utilised all elements of the Armed Forces, with a total of 255 British personnel sadly losing their lives.