Celebration for the work of Armed Forces

Shropshire is hosting many events across the county with businesses, town councils, parish councils and local communities coming together to celebrate the day.

Tonight Shrewsbury is set to be the UK’s first town to celebrate Armed Forces Day 2017 with a spectacular lightshow that will showcase the county’s military heritage.

The show is called Son et Lumière – A Brief glimpse in to Shropshire’s military archives. St Chads Church will form the backdrop for an evening of archived film and photographic footage highlighting Shropshire’s military past. The show is free to the public.

caterpillar, Shrewsbury are co-sponsors for the event and managing director Matt Bulley said: "We are extremely proud of our military heritage which is reflected in our products and the current and former service personnel on site.

“Both regular and reservists members of the Armed Forces along with veterans and military families all perform vital roles in their local communities and in defence of the country and we are committed to recognising, valuing and supporting their contribution.

“As great believers in the Armed Forces Covenant we are delighted to be supporting this spectacular event which recognises and celebrates the great sacrifices made by service men, women and their families across the county.”

Diana Packwood, managing director of co-sponsors Wace Morgan Solicitors, said: “We are very proud to support Armed Forces Day – it is a great opportunity to thank service personnel for the job they do and in a small way to say thank you.”

Karen Calder, Armed Forces Covenant chair, added: “I am delighted our Armed Forces personnel, both past and present are being thanked in this way. Their hard work behind the scenes does not go unnoticed and I’m pleased Shropshire residents are showing their appreciation.”

Tomorrow Armed Forces Day in The Quarry is also taking place. This is a family fun day with lots of Armed Forces themed activities for the whole family. Activities will include a British Legion poppy treasure hunt, an RAF military field kitchen, armed forces displays from local Reserve units based in Shrewsbury and a pop-up museum delivered by the Shropshire Regimental Museum.

The events will compliment others taking place across the county to form Shropshire’s largest ever Armed Forces Day, including an event taking place in Shrewsbury Town Square on between 9am and 5pm ‘Saying Thank you’. This event will see a book provided which will give local people the opportunity to say thank you in their own words.