With just a month to go before Falmouth hosts the county’s celebrations and commemorations for Armed Forces Day, excitement is building as the comprehensive programme of events is confirmed.

As the country is preparing to show its support for Armed Forces’ personnel, families and veterans, Falmouth is playing a key role in the county’s tributes, having been chosen to host Armed Forces Day Cornwall on June 22.

Events, displays and demonstrations will be held at various venues across the town, including The Moor, Prince of Wales Pier, Church Street car park and Events Square, between 11am and 7pm. There will be road closures in place in the town centre from 9.30am until 5pm.

Falmouth town manager, Richard Gates said: “Armed Forces Day Cornwall promises to be a great day for the whole family. What has been great is the number of organisations both from Falmouth and beyond who have come together proactively to make this a fantastic occasion.

“There are many things that have never been seen in Falmouth before such as a Lancaster and Spitfire aerial display, so it really is a day not to be missed.”

The day will begin with a veterans’ parade which will be led by the Culdrose Band and will leave Church Street car park at 11am and make its way through to the Events Square where the official opening ceremony will be conducted by the Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, Colonel Edward Bolitho at 11.30am.

The piazza on The Moor will host a full day of things to do, see and touch including a life-sized replica model of a Spitfire, courtesy of the RAF Association; a cockpit of a Harrier Jump Jet, fire engine and liferaft from RNAS Culdrose; a ten tonne logistic vehicle from 232 Squadron and a 15 foot climbing wall from Falmouth Army Cadets.

On display on Prince of Wales Pier will be a Spitfire, which is currently being restored in Cornwall, and there will be the chance to catch a free ferry to the Royal Navy and RFA ships moored alongside the Queen’s Wharf at Falmouth Docks.

In Market Street and Church Street there will be an armoured personnel carrier to inspect as well as a number of other vehicles from the Military Vehicles Trust and a surf display tent from the charity, Surf Action and in the car park there will be piped bands playing, display tents for the Royal Marine Commandos, a climbing wall, un-armed combat displays and much more.

The Events Square will host a vehicle and display tent from D Company 6 Rifles, a medical vehicle and display tent from the Truro Detachment 243 field hospital, a 771 NAS display area and Royal Navy big screen.

The square’s biggest event will be the culmination of the day’s programme – a concert by the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines which will take place at 7pm and will have tiered seating.

EVENT SCHEDULE: 

  • 11am: Veterans’ parade from Church Street car park.
  • 11.30am: Opening ceremony at Events Square.
  • Noon: Eight minute display over the inner harbour by a Venom fighter bomber.
  • 1pm: Mini-concert by the ATC and ACF Composite Band at Events Square.
  • 2pm: Six minute display by one of only a handful of surviving Avro Anson aircraft over the inner harbour.
  • 2.10pm (approximately): Royal Marine Band Beat the Retreat at Events Square.
  • 3pm: Search and Rescue display by inshore and all-weather lifeboats and Sea King Helicopter from Culdrose in inner harbour.
  • 4pm: Battle of Britain Memorial Flight over the inner harbour, featuring a Spitfire and Lancaster bomber.
  • 7pm: Two hour Royal Marines Band concert at Events Square.