Hundreds of schoolchildren from Marlborough Infant School and The Wavell School joined service personnel marking 100 days to go to the national Armed Forces Day celebrations at Queens Parade in Aldershot yesterday.

They were welcomed by the architects of the event, Alex Baker MP and Councillor Sophie Porter, together with Rushmoor councillors including Mayor Calum Stewart.

The children were treated to a musical performance by the Coldstream Guards band, a chance to see military vehicles and helicopters up close, as well as the opportunity to pet the Irish Guards’ mascot, Seamus the Wolfhound.

Special guests at the event were Farnborough-based company, QinetiQ, who have been announced as the event’s first platinum sponsor. QinetiQ employs 1,200 people at its
headquarters in Cody Technology Park delivering critical, mission-ready military capability to the UK and its allies.

Participants heard how the national event, which talks place 26-28 June along Queen’s Parade, is shaping up, and were promised a packed programme of free events for the whole community. From a national military parade and arena displays to live
music, flypasts and a community day, it will bring together residents,
families, businesses and visitors from across the country. It will be a chance to honour those who serve, celebrate our shared history, and inspire the next generation into careers in the military and defence industries.

Alex Baker MP, Member of Parliament for Aldershot and Farnborough:
“It’s fantastic to mark 100 days to go until the Armed Forces Day national celebrations come to Aldershot and Farnborough. I worked closely with Rushmoor Borough Council to bring this fantastic event here, so it’s great to see it coming to life.

“It was brilliant to see local schoolchildren exploring military kit and meeting our service personnel because here, service and civilian life go hand in hand. This June will be a weekend of music, parades and displays, bringing everyone together to showcase the best of Aldershot and Farnborough and to celebrate and say a big thank you to our Armed Forces and their supporters in the local defence industries.”

Councillor Sophie Porter, Deputy Leader of Rushmoor Borough Council, said:
“The ‘100 days to go’ event gives a taste of how the national Armed Forces Day
celebrations will bring our community together and inspire local young people.

“As well as honouring our servicemen and women, our veterans and cadets, we will be proudly showcasing STEM – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – skills, and careers in our Armed Forces and defence industries, in order to open doors to great careers for the next generation.”