Armed Forces Day Events Continue with Children's Parade in Filey Today

Tuesday, 21 June 2022 06:00

By Matthew Pells

Scarborough's Armed Forces Day week got underway yesterday ahead of the town hosting the National Armed Forces Day event this Saturday.

A navy minesweeper, divers and a team of parachutists were involved in yesterday's activities, delivering Armed Forces Day flags to the town hall and Scarborough Castle.

Councillor Tony Randerson is the Borough Council's Champion for the event.

He says it's great to have the activity underway after a three year wait.

There is a week of activity planned ahead of the town hosting the national event on Saturday.

Today a children's parade takes place in Filey with local school children showing off military models they have been making as part of a community arts project. A similar parade will take place in Scarborough on Thursday.

The parades will be representing the history of the different armed forces over the span of hundreds of years - including plenty of parade pieces specific to our region. Lee Threadgold from Animated Objects Theatre Company has been helping create the models.

Filey's parade will be starting on the beach at approx. 1.30pm this afternoon. Organisers say the best viewing position is on the promenade above. You'll see a small fleet of historic tall ships inspired by the likes of HMS Tricomalee at the Royal Navy Museum in Hartlepool; army vehicles and Royal Air Force biplanes.

Scarborough's parade on Thursday will be on South Bay beach heading from West Pier to the Spa from 10.00am - best viewing points on the pavement or beach along the route heading south. Look out for pieces inspired by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight; army medical vehicles; Dunkirk small boats; the 'Remember Scarborough' tram and a War Horse.

And at each town you'll also see the young people's version of the RAF Red Arrows team leading the parade.

Councillor Tony Randerson, says the events this week and the full programme of displays and events on Saturday is attracting a lot of media interest, he says the town is set to benefit from worldwide publicity.