Plymouth Armed Forces Day and Rehabilitation Triathlon 2023

I am thrilled to be joining in with you all today celebrating the spectacular Plymouth Armed Forces Day, on Plymouth Hoe. It’s a wonderful chance to thank our military, including reservists, veterans, cadets their families and all those who support, for all the great work they do.

We are also extremely privileged to be able to watch the Rehabilitation Triathlon on Thursday 22 June. I wish all of these amazing athletes the best of success. I hope everyone has an amazing Armed Forces Week.

Councillor Mark Shayer Lord Mayor of Plymouth

The Royal Navy and Royal Marines are proud to support Armed Forces Day once more, alongside the Army and RAF and our veteran and cadet organisations.

The Royal Navy has a long and pivotal relationship with Plymouth and the surrounding communities and we welcome any occasion to come together. Armed Forces Day is the perfect opportunity to celebrate our relationship and what has been achieved together.

Enjoy a ‘hoofing’ Armed Forces Day!

Brigadier Mike Tanner OBE ADC RM, HMNB Devonport Base Commander.

Plymouth Armed Forces Covenant

Plymouth is a proud Military city with a very proactive Armed Forces Covenant, which brings together national and local partners to ensure that the Armed Forces community in the city is not disadvantaged. For more information, including how to join, visit: plymouth.gov.uk/armed-forces-covenant.

Programme

Saturday 24 June

All information was correct at time of going to print, please refer to the website for up to date information.

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10am to 10.15am

Armed Forces Covenant Speech Stage

10.15am to 4.30pm

Junior Field Gun Tournaments Elliot Street Arena

10.30am to 11am

Soundhouse Brass Band, Plymouth Youth Service Stage

10.30am to 11am

Free taster sessions from Beryl Bikes and Endeavour Community Cycle Club Arena

11am to 11.30am

Parade of Standards, led by the Tavistock Stannary Brass Band. All veterans are invited to join the parade Arena

11.30 to 12pm

City of Plymouth Pipe Band Stage

12pm to 1pm

Freedom of the City Parade, Joint Hospital Group South West Arena

1pm to 1.30pm

Military Wives Choir Stage

Evening Concert

5pm to 5.30pm

Shane Brierley

6pm to 6.45pm

The Vibes

1pm to 1.30pm

7.05pm to 7.50pm

Jessica and the Rabbits

8.10pm to 8.55pm

Rockafella

9.15pm to 10.30pm

Dr Oz

Free taster sessions from Beryl Bikes and Endeavour Community Cycle Club

Arena

1.30pm to 2pm

Devonport Services Rugby Football Club

Ladies Arena

2pm to 2.30pm

HMNB Devonport Field Gun Demonstration Arena

2.30pm to 3pm

Plymouth Youth Symphony Orchestra, Plymouth Youth Service Stage

3pm to 3.30pm

Team Endeavours Punishers Wheelchair

Rugby Demonstration, Army v Navy Arena

3.30pm to 4pm

Lipson Co-Operative Big Band, Plymouth Youth Service Stage

3.30pm to 4pm

Free taster sessions from Beryl Bikes Arena

4pm to 4.30pm Rock Choir Arena

Rehabilitation Triathlon

Thursday 22 June, Plymouth Hoe

Sponsored by

Come and show your support and admiration to the athletes in the Rehabilitation Triathlon, hosted by the Royal Navy Recovery Centre Hasler, on Thursday 22 June, Plymouth Hoe. A triathlon like no other, this event will get your adrenalin going as you see the pure determination and commitment of these outstanding athletes.

The event will start at 11am with a swim in the art-deco Tinside Lido, followed by cycle time trials across the Hoe, then athletes move onto static rowing machines on the Hoe promenade before crossing the finishing line.

There will be entertainment on the main stage at 4pm, from community choirs. The all-important awards ceremony will be at 5pm, followed by The Band of HM Royal Marines, The Corps of Drums.

For details on how to take part, visit: plymoutharmedforcesday.co.uk/rehabilitation-triathlon

Royal Navy Village

The Royal Navy village will be showcasing a huge range of dynamic and interactive displays and activities. Witness a Field Gun demonstration from the Senior ‘Runners’ from HMNB Devonport and are you able to navigate your way through a minefield using some of the mine detection equipment and learn about the various types of ammunition, small arms, missiles, and torpedoes.

Discover what it takes to work in the Defence Medical Group, children can get hands-on with the medical exhibits as well as exploring the Battlefield Ambulance. The MOD Police will be on hand to answer any questions.

The recruitment team will be providing information on the many career opportunities within the Royal Navy and Royal Marines.

Find out about the Plymouth Sea Cadets: E oic-plymouth@cadetmail.mod.uk or admin-plymouth@cadetmail.mod.uk

Scan the QR code to find out more!

Army Village

Come to the Army Village for fun activities, vehicles and equipment to explore! 165 Port and Maritime Regiment RLC will have JCBs and a TEREX Crane to see and a climbing wall to try! Test your reactions on the Batak wall and try out some BB guns on the firing range. Explore the equipment used by the Army to deliver logistic capability across the world.

Speak to students that are preparing for military life or the emergency services. Have a go at some of the command tasks, test your aim on the airsoft range and meet the students delivering presentations and displaying their skills.

29 Commando Regt RA will have a variety of vehicles and equipment, with a 105mm gun, weapons display, survival booth and interactive equipment to try including drones and simulators. Chat to the teams who will be on hand to give you advice and information.

Find out about the Devon Army Cadet Force: T 01752 261525 E wx-dev-bcoy@rfca.org.uk

Royal Air Force Village

Visit the Royal Air Force village and chat to the Regular and Reserve RAF personnel. Find out about the great range of full-time and part-time career opportunities, including: Aircrew, Engineering, Firefighter, Logistics and HR. Search #RAFCareers

Find out about the Royal Air Force Air Cadets: T 01637 857032

E RAFAC-whq-allusers-plymcornwall@mod.gov.uk

ARMED FORCES AND DISABLED PARKING

Disabled parking is available at Ballard House car park (PL1 3BJ) and nearby on-street parking for blue badge holders. The 25B Citybus will operate a shuttle service between Ballard House, Theatre Royal and Hoe Road – ramp side, from 8.30am to 6.35pm (check timetable).

Citybus and Stagecoach are offering free travel across Armed Forces Day to serving personnel, cadets and veterans. ID is required.

ELLIOT ST

Junior Field Gun Arena

Emergency Services

Army Village

Emergency Services

Scan a QR code for more information

GETTING HERE

Maps and timetables

ACCESS & INCLUSION

HOEROAD

LOCKYER STREET

Veteran’s Village Marquee

Veteran’s Village

Ocean View at The Dome

Royal Marines Village

RAF Village

Royal Navy Village

Plymouth Naval Memorial

Whether

Image: Maia Cazzani, BA (Hons) Commercial Photography

Royal Marines Village

The Royal Marines will be showcasing their military platforms and equipment which you can explore, including a large combat gun boat, quad bike and open top all-terrain vehicle with heavy weight large weapon system. There will be lots of hands-on displays, including night vision goggles and thermal imagery telescopes, plus various weapon systems ranging from pistols to machine guns and sniper rifles.

Children can have a go at the children’s enclosed Nerf gun firing range, or try the body armour, helmets, scopes and binoculars. Chat to the Marines and find out how and when their equipment is used and in what situations.

Find out about the Royal Marine Volunteer Cadet Corps: T 01752 251578 E plymouth@volunteercadetcorps.org

Band of the Royal Marines Volunteer Cadet Corps: T 01752 836706 E band@volunteercadetcorps.org

Scan the QR code to find out more!

Happy Armed Forces Day!

Thank you to all service personnel for everything you do.

We’ll be here for you, for as long as you need us.

rbl.org.uk

Veterans Village

Sponsored by

Visit the Veteran’s Village, sponsored by the Royal British Legion, to find a vast array of service-related charities that all do great work in assisting our Armed Forces community both locally, and nationally. There will also be a great variety of local businesses showcasing their products and services, including renewable energy and training providers. Foster for Plymouth will have lots of fun games for young children to enjoy in their marquee.

With over 80 charities and organisations within the Veterans Village, come along to join in their activities and collect information, advice and support on a wide range of issues.

Scan

Live Music & Evening Concert

Sponsored by

The free evening concert on Plymouth Hoe will close Armed Forces Day, with an outstanding line-up of brilliant performances.

Live music throughout the day from:

City of Plymouth Pipe Band

Formed in 1975, the band is honoured to be affiliated to 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery.

The Tavistock Stannary Brass Band

The band will be leading the Parade of Standards and Freedom of the City Parade.

Military Wives Choir

Bringing women in the military community closer together through singing.

Rock Choir

The UK’s original award-winning local contemporary choir, who currently rehearse in over 250 towns across the UK.

Plymouth Youth Service

Performing on the main stage with a spectacular programme of city ensembles by talented young local musicians.

5pm to 5.30pm

Shane Brierley

Hugely talented young local singer songwriter.

6pm to 6.45pm

The Vibes

Playing high energy well known indie anthems.

7.05pm to 7.50pm

Jessica and the Rabbits

Seven piece line up, performing sounds of true rhythm and blues.

8.10pm to 8.55pm

Rockafella

Energetic rock covers band, playing modern classics and forgotten gems.

9.15pm to 10.30pm

Dr Oz

Mixing soul, funk and ska from the past five decades with an energetic stage show.

Emergency Services

The Fire Service - will have their aerial ladder platform, road safety vehicle, prevention team and operational fire appliances in attendance.

Find out about the Fire Service Cadets: T 01392 872390 E cyp@dsfire.gov.uk

Devon and Cornwall Police - will have their marked vehicles and bikes on display. Neighbourhood and Roads Policing Teams, supported by Specials and cadets will be on-hand to answer any questions you may have and provide you with expert advice.

Find out about the Police Cadets: T 07894 482511 E 15928@dc.police.uk W devon-cornwall.police.uk

Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team Plymouth - will be on hand to chat to you about how they support the police and the ambulance service in searching for and recovering lost and vulnerable people, both on Dartmoor and in the wider rural and urban areas in Devon and Cornwall.

Coastguard Search and Rescue – will have their incredible team of volunteers who will show you their safety equipment that is used on rescue operations.

Senior and Junior Field Gun

The HMNB Devonport Field Gun team will be putting on a thrilling display in the main arena, demonstrating the skills needed for competition drills, as they train for up and coming competitions.

The Junior Field Gun tournaments, organised by Future Fit Junior Field Gun, will be taking place throughout the day from their dedicated arena at the Elliot Street end of Plymouth Hoe. Approximately 20 schools will be competing in this exhilarating tournament, competing for four silver trophies.