Thousands of visitors to the Armed Forces Day celebrations in Trowbridge will be able to enjoy fly pasts from a Lancaster bomber aircraft and the famous RAF Red Arrows display team this weekend.

The Lancaster flypast by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight team is expected to take place at 2.39pm on Saturday (June 24), while the Royal Air Force Red Arrows will put on a flypast display at 5.51pm.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: The Lancaster bomber PA474 from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will be making a fly past at 2.39pm. Photo: Darren HarbarThe Lancaster bomber PA474 from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will be making a fly past at 2.39pm. Photo: Darren Harbar (Image: Darren Harbar)

Both events take place as part of the celebrations for Armed Forces Day, from 11am to 3pm in the town park, which includes an open ceremony where Trowbridge will become the first parish council in Wiltshire to adopt the Armed Forces Covenant.

Hayley Bell, head of leisure, museum and information services at Trowbridge Town Council, said: “Trowbridge Town Council are proud to be hosting an exciting day of family friendly entertainment in Trowbridge Park after the signing of the covenant to mark this symbolic occasion.

“We delighted to welcome two fly pasts to Trowbridge on Saturday, to be able to host the Battle of Britian Memorial Flight and the Fabulous Red Arrow in the afternoon, we would welcome all residents to join us.”

During Saturday’s celebrations, Trowbridge mayor, Cllr Stephen Cooper, and the Commanding Officer of the 14th Regiment Royal Artillery, Lieutenant Colonel Andrew McDermott MBE RA, accompanied by Warrant Officer Class 1 (Regimental Sergeant Major) Gemma Begley will sign the Armed Forces Covenant in Trowbridge Park, as this Regiment hold the Freedom of the Town.

Former mayor Cllr Deborah Halik is credited with the idea of Trowbridge adopting the Armed Forces Covenant, although she was unable to implement it before leaving the council. The suggestion was later tabled by Cllr Antonio Piazza in 2021.

Cllr Piazza said: “The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise from the nation that those who serve or have served in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly.

“This is an important moment for Trowbridge to continue its support for our Armed Forces, its veterans, and their families of the past, present, and future, and as a town council for us to go above and beyond in ensuring those who have sacrificed so much are treated equally in our society.”

The covenant is a national responsibility involving government, businesses, local authorities, charities and the public. For communities, the Armed Forces Covenant is a promise of mutual support between a civilian community and its local armed forces community.

Wiltshire Council reaffirmed its commitment to the Armed Forces communities in June 2022 by signing the Wiltshire Council Armed Forces Covenant, supported by senior military and civilian leaders.

Events on Saturday will include music from the Bratton Silver Band marking the start of the signing of the covenant from 11am, the covenant will be signed at 11.30am and this will be followed by celebratory music performed on the Bandstand including The Military Wives Choir at 12 noon and the Steeple Rocks Choir.

Entertainment and activities in Trowbridge Park will include a range of stalls and displays, equipment from the 4th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry, and a fun dog show at 1.30pm to raise funds for the veterans charity Help for Heroes.

Trowbridge Museum, the Royal British Legion and the service charity SSAFA will also have information stalls at the event.