Celebrate Armed Forces weekend at Arboretum
Visitors to the National Memorial Arboretum, within the National Forest in Staffordshire, will be able to come together to show their support for the Armed Forces community for Armed Forces weekend on Saturday and Sunday.
The 150-acre site is hosting a packed programme of free outdoor activities, alongside a food and craft fair and a Service of Tribute on the afternoon of Armed Forces Day (Saturday 24 June).
“Armed Forces Weekend is the Nation's chance to show its support for the men and women who make up the UK 's Armed Forces community, from serving personnel to Service families, veterans, reservists and cadets, ” said Mark Ellis, National Memorial Arboretum lead.
“In addition to a Service of Tribute on Armed Forces Day, we will be marking the occasion with a weekend full of fun family activities, alongside live music and a variety of food and craft stalls selling produce from a range of local artisans and businesses. ”
Across the weekend, visitors to the Arboretum will be able to enjoy a free engaging outdoor experience featuring climbing walls, a free-drop airbag, zip lines and an assault course, in addition to observing static displays of military vehicles and tackling activities facilitated by the RAF STEM team.
There will be live music on the Saturday from the Timmy Allen Trio, as well as a performance from the Nottinghamshire Band of the Royal Engineers, and female a capella group Black Voices and Stacey Lynn Crowe will be performing on the Sunday.
A short service of tribute will also take place in the amphitheatre at 12pm on Saturday 24 June, recognising the continued hard work of the UK Armed Forces and giving visitors the opportunity to come together and thank them for their service.
Representatives from Ride to the Wall will also be presenting a cheque during the service.
The charity has raised and donated over £1.35 million for the Arboretum to date.
The Ministry of Defence is supporting Armed Forces Weekend at the Arboretum, providing grant funding for the event.
It is free to visit the National Memorial Arboretum during Armed Forces Day.
However, advanced booking is recommended to guarantee entry.