NEWS FEED
People will be able to watch the Armed Forces from Bovington and Lulworth march through Wareham on Friday 24 June.
In 2010, Purbeck District Council was honoured to present the Freedom of the District of Purbeck to the Armour Centre and the Old Boys’ Association of the Junior Leaders’ Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps. This means that the garrison has the right to march through the district.
Councillor Bill Trite chairman of Purbeck District Council, said: “Our armed forces based in Bovington and Lulworth discharge a crucial function in ensuring our nation’s safety, so we are profoundly grateful for their services and their dedication over very many years.
“We are honoured that the garrison will be exercising its right to march through the streets of Purbeck, especially since this is an historic year for the Armour Centre. The parade in 2010 was truly memorable, so we much look forward to this year’s event.”
The Armour Centre is the British Army’s centre of excellence for all armoured vehicle training for individual service personnel and crews. The parade coincides with the centenary of the Armour Centre and precedes Armed Forces Day.
The Commander of the Armour Centre and Bovington Garrison, Colonel Gordon Judd said: “Bovington Garrison is proud and honoured to be allowed to exercise its Freedom of Purbeck by marching through Wareham on the 24 June 2016.
“This is a particularly important year for the Armour Centre and Bovington Garrison marking both the centenary of the Armour Centre, established in 1916 and the 100th anniversary of the first use of the tank in war by the British Army, the first army to employ tanks, at the Battle of Flers Courcelette, part of the larger Battle of the Somme.
“We greatly value our links with the people of Purbeck who have given us such valued support over the years.”
The parade will assemble at South Bridge, Wareham, at 11.30am prior to marching along South Street and North Street, so spectators are encouraged to arrive in plenty of time.
The parade will be led by The Band of the Household Cavalry. Soldiers and marines from Bovington and Lulworth will march with bayonets fixed, together with veterans of the Junior Leaders Regiment Old Boys Association. They will be accompanied by a selection of Armoured Fighting Vehicles.
There will be an inspection of the troops outside the Town Hall.
South Street and North Street will be closed to vehicles from 11.00am until 1.30pm and access to the side streets will also be restricted.
For safety reasons, residents and businesses will be asked to remove their vehicles from the South Street and North Street on-street parking areas on Friday 24 June from midnight until 1.30pm.
