COMMUNICATIONS TEAM
Town Hall, Castle Circus, Torquay, Devon TQ1 3DR Main Switchboard (01803) 201201 Direct Lines (01803) 208850 /51 Fax (01803) 299878 • DX 59006 www.torbay.gov.uk
NEWS RELEASE
PR 1628 11 June 2008 For Immediate Release
Veterans Day 2008
Hundreds of veterans and members of the public from across the South-west are expected to join the celebrations on Paignton Green for Veterans Day 2008.
Torbay Council is hosting this special event on Friday 4 and Saturday 5 July as an opportunity to celebrate with those who have given service to the nation and with those who are currently serving. Presentations, demonstrations and live music are just a number of activities planned for the event.
Veterans Day is a nationwide opportunity to celebrate the courage, bravery, and personal sacrifices of our veterans, some of whom will be presented with veterans badges as recognition of their military service.
Cllr Michael Hytche, Chairman of Torbay Council said: "These events are a way of acknowledging the years of service that many men and women have given to Britain. We should all be immensely proud of our Armed Forces, both currently in service and our veterans for their selflessness in protecting our freedom. This is a public showing of our thanks to them.” “I am delighted that we are hosting this prestigious and important event. It provides an opportunity for us here in Torbay to commemorate with those who have given service to the nation and indeed with those who are currently serving.”
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People from across the South-west are expected to visit Torbay to join in the organised events on Paignton Green on Friday 4 and Saturday 5 July as one of the main Veterans Day events across the country.
On Friday evening live music entertainment is taking place in a marquee on the Green, performed by A.J’s Caravan Band, 8pm – 11pm. Tickets are £5.00 and are available from Palace Theatre box office on 01803 665800.
The Saturday event starts at 11am and continues through until 5pm with exhibitions, displays and information from organisations such as the Exeter Maritime and Torquay Museums, Veterans Agency, the Army and the Military Vehicles Trust. During the afternoon there will be presentations of badges to veterans that applied for the award. The veterans parade will take place at 2.30pm. The parade will feature veteran’s standards from across the region and will culminate with the religious ceremony 'Hollow Square' Muster and Tribute to Veterans.
The Torbay Veterans Day 2008 is kindly supported by Torbay Taxis. Free transport is available for veterans visiting the Torbay event, please contact Torbay Taxis on 01803 211611 by Friday 27 June to arrange the free transport.
For more information on Veterans Day please contact Sue Evans on 01803 402804.
-ENDSNotes for editors Torbay Veterans Day has several aims: 1) To raise awareness of the age range of veterans in the community. Veterans can be any age, gender or ethnicity and new veterans are created every day. 2) Veteran's contribution and relevance to life in the UK today 3) The support and advice available to veterans from official and voluntary sources, including ex-Service Organisations.
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For further information please contact: Sophie Gray, Communications Officer on 01803 207048
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