Scarborough, officially commenced its Armed Forces Week today with a poignant flag raising ceremony, setting the stage for the main Armed Forces Day event on Saturday, 28 June.
The ceremony was described as a "wonderful" and "very moving occasion" by Councillor George Jabbour, Chair of North Yorkshire Council.
The event saw a significant turnout from the community, including veterans, their families, and cadets, all gathering to remember the service dedicated to the country. Local schoolchildren from Barrocliif Primary School also participated, with Councillor Jabbour commending them as "absolute stars" for joining in the remembrance.
Councillor Jabbour highlighted the importance of the flag raising, stating that it marks
"a significant start to a week where we remember our armed forces".
He emphasised that Armed Forces Day in Scarborough is a "huge event" and a "very special event," adding that "people always come away with it feeling like Scarborough has done a very good job".
Reflecting on the extensive preparations for the main event on Saturday, Councillor Jabour shared insights into the dedication involved. "I have spoken with some of the people who are going to be there on Saturday. They said that how hard they are working to prepare to make sure that everything goes smoothly on the day,"
Scarborough and Whitby MP Alison Hume was also at today's event and underlined the importance of looking not just backwards but also forwards, which made the children's presence particularly welcome. She also reflected on the uncertain global climate, stating that as the MP for Scarborough and Whitby, her thoughts were "very much in Scarborough and and the sacrifice of people from Scarborough to keep us safe and to protect the democracy that we hold so dear".
Looking ahead to Saturday, 28 June, the main Armed Forces Day event will take place in Scarborough's South Bay. The event, sponsored by Skipton Building Society, promises a "packed timetable".
Key highlights planned for the day include:
- Air Displays: The skies above South Bay will host impressive aerial demonstrations. This includes
- the RAF Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4, with Display Pilot 25, Squadron Leader Nathan Shawyer, showcasing its "speed, power, agility and noise".
- Also featuring will be the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF), which includes an iconic Supermarine Spitfire, a Hawker Hurricane (one of only 12 remaining worldwide that played a vital role in the Battle of Britain), and a Douglas C47 Dakota named ‘Kwicherbichen’. The Dakota conducted paradropping operations on the eve of D-Day, plus missions to evaluate casualties and re-supply forces.
- Land-Based Displays and Activities: The day will also feature parades, musical performances, and various family activities.
- Eco-Friendly Spitfire Sculpture: Local arts organisation, Animated Objects, will unveil a life-sized Mk1 Spitfire model, crafted entirely from biodegradable materials, primarily cardboard. This ambitious project, designed to faithfully recreate the aircraft's iconic design, has involved members of the local community and schoolchildren in its construction. Animated Objects will lead talks on the sculpture's construction and the aircraft's history throughout the event.
Scarborough Armed Forces Day 2025 Event Timings - June 28th 2025
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 11am | Welcome by the Scarborough Town Crier |
| 11.05am | Norwegian Marching Bands |
| 12pm | RAF Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 air display |
| 12.10pm | Scarborough standards march into the formal area. Chairman of North Yorkshire Council, Councillor George Jabbour reviews the standards |
| 12.15pm | Formal opening. The Town Crier calls on all assembled to the opening of the event, the Yorkshire Volunteers Band marches into the formal area. Formal opening and welcome by the Chairman of North Yorkshire Council. The Yorkshire Volunteers Band display. Presentation of awards by Brigadier David Colthup CBE. Standards and the Yorkshire Volunteers Band marches off, and the event officially starts |
| 12.45pm | 152 City of Hull Royal Air Force Cadets display of banner drill |
| 1pm | Tiger Moth air display |
| 1.15pm | Scarborough Sea Cadet continuity drill display team |
| 2pm | The Starlings Aerobatic Team |
| 3pm | Richard Goodwin – Jet-Powered Pitts special air display |
| 3.15pm | Scarborough Sea Cadet Band performance |
| 3:40pm | Battle of Britain flight – Spitfire, Hurricane and Dakota |
| 3:55pm | East Riding Pipe Band |
| 4:20pm | Standards, veterans and cadets parade steps off. Led by Queen’s Own Yeomanry and Yorkshire Volunteers Band parade |
| 4:30pm | Review of parade at the formal area. Parade Marshal to invite Reviewing Officer; Brigadier David Colthup CBE with VIPs to review the parade; Closing words by Brigadier David Colthup CBE. Prayers and blessings by Reverend Joe Kinsella |
| 4:45pm | Closing ceremony. Exhortation by Matthew O’Brien, Chairman of the Royal British Legion. Sunset ceremony including the Yorkshire Volunteers Band. Scarborough Sea Cadets lower the Armed Forces flag and present to Brigadier David Colthup CBE. Yorkshire Volunteers Band perform and conclude with the National Anthem. Three cheers for HM Armed Forces led by the Scarborough Town Crier |
| 4:55pm | Parade marches off |
| 5pm | Event finishes |
Timings are subject to change.
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