The Lord Lieutenant of Dorset, together with civic dignitaries from across the county will be in Dorchester on Monday 21 June for the raising of a special Armed Forces Day flag which will be raised at 10.30am outside County Hall.

In attendance in addition to Mr Angus Campbell, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset will be Colonel Johnathan Brooking, garrison commander Bovington, Mr Michael Dooley, HM High Sheriff of Dorset; Cllr Val Pothecary, chairman, Dorset Council and Cllr Spencer Flower, leader, Dorset Council. They will be joined by other dignitaries and members of the Royal Naval Association.

After introductions from the chairman of Dorset Council, garrison commander of Bovington will respond on behalf of the Armed Forces living and working in Dorset. The Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset will also speak.

With outside gatherings currently limited to 30, people will be able to watch the ceremony live on the council’s Facebook page at Facebook/DorsetCouncilUK.

Cllr Val Pothecary, chairman of Dorset Council, said: “Armed Forces Week 2021 is a chance for everyone to celebrate the brave men and women who make up the Armed Forces community: from serving troops to service families, veterans and cadets

“We have a large armed forces community, past and present, in Dorset so I am pleased we are able to express our appreciation through the raising of the Armed Forces Flag.

“Although current restrictions mean it will be a smaller ceremony than we had hoped for, I am looking forward to welcoming the Armed Forces to County Hall so that we can thank them for all they do, for Dorset and for the country.”

The flag raising marks the start of an important week, both nationally and in Dorset, with the national Armed Forces Day taking place on Saturday 26 June.

Dorset Council signed the Armed Forces Covenant in 2019, with BCP Council and partners – including the NHS and the police.  The Covenant is a promise that those who serve or have served, and their families, are treated with fairness and respect in their communities, economy and society for which they serve with their lives.

Blandford Forum Town Council will also raise the Armed Forces Day flag on Monday 21 June, when it will sign up to the the Armed Forces Covenant.

The council will raise the flag with Blandford Garrison representatives, Royal British Legion Standards from the Blandford & District Branch and trumpeter Geordie Thomson in attendance.

Find out more about Armed Forces Week at www.armedforcesday.org.uk