The council today (Monday June 24) hosted a special ceremony at Allerdale House in Workington to mark Armed Forces Day.

The flag-raising ceremony was led by the Mayor of Allerdale, Hilary Harrington and involved a parade, prayers and speeches by the mayor and Cllr Peter Little, council members' armed forces champion.

Veterans, serving armed forces personnel, local cadet groups and other civic leaders took part in the parade through the council headquarters’ car park.

It was one of a number of services taking place across the country to mark the start of Armed Forces Day celebrations, leading towards the official Armed Forces Day on Saturday (June 29).

Following the service the official Armed Forces Day flag was raised by the mayor as a mark of respect to serving personnel and their families, veterans and the cadet forces.

Cllr Harrington said: “I want to say thank you to everyone who took part in the ceremony. It was wonderful to see so many people turn out to pay their respects and especially nice to have children from St Michael’s Infant and Nursery School (Workington) join us this year.

“Our armed forces have played – and continue to play – a huge role in our community and events like this are our way of saying thank you for everything they do.” 

The school brought pupils from years one and two along to take part in the event. 

Teacher Candice Regan said: “At St Michael’s we promote British values in everything we do. 

“It’s great to bring these types of celebrations into the community and it’s been great to take part. It has helped make those British values real to our children.” 

Following the service council leader Marion Fitzgerald re-signed the Cumbrian Armed Forces Community Covenant, a commitment to giving fair support to members of the armed forces, veterans and their families while recognising and remembering the sacrifices they have made. 

The covenant means that the council will offer recognition, consideration, help and support to the armed forces community, addressing issues such as housing, health care, welfare employment and help in the community.