Dozens of people from local service charities and cadet groups took part in a parade through Burnham-On-Sea on Saturday (June 30th) to mark Armed Forces Day.
Crowds lined the route of the parade, as pictured here, applauding those taking part while waving Union Jacks.
The parade started outside The Princess Theatre and then headed along the High Street to the town flag pole, at the junction of Abingdon Street and Pier Street, where a flag-raising ceremony and remembrance ceremony took place.
The ceremony comprised of a short address by Mayor’s Chaplain Sharon Crossland, a flag raising by Mayor’s Cadet Jade Larkin and Deputy Mayor Cllr Peter Clayton, the Exhortation by the Royal British Legion’s John Crosby, an address by Deputy Lord Lt Tom Lang, an address by Mayor Cllr Bill Hancock, the reciting of Kohima Epitaph by Step Green, and the Last Post by cornet player Ophelia Buckton.
Burnham-On-Sea’s MP James Heappey, who served as a major in the Rifles, was among those in attendance.
Mr Heappey told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “It was an amazing turnout, the weather was perfect, and there were lots of people in the town centre. When the parade came through, everyone stopped, watched and followed it down the High Street to attend the ceremony as well.”
“It was really well organised by the Royal British Legion and the Town Council with a fantastic turnpout by the cadets and veterans asociations. It was a great day for Burnham”
John Crosby, from the Burnham branch of the Royal British Legion, added: “We’re delighted with how it went – there was an extremely good turnout this year – and it was great to see so many residents out along the streets as the parade went past.”
