Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex will be the guest of honour at an event to celebrate Armed Forces Day, which will also mark the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen, next weekend.
She will be attending the Tyne and Wear Diamond Jubilee Gala on Saturday, 30 June, as Honorary Colonel-in-Chief of Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps, and will be presenting campaign medals to 201 (Northern) Field Hospital (Volunteers) who have recently returned from active service in Afghanistan.
The gala at Exhibition Park, Claremont Road, will start at 10am when the Lord Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear, Nigel Sherlock, and civic guests will be presenting Diamond Jubilee medals to some of the region’s armed forces and cadets, police, fire, ambulance, coast guard and prison services.
During her visit to the city Her Royal Highness, will be officially welcomed by the Lord Mayor of Newcastle, Cllr Jackie Slesenger, and will have an opportunity to talk to the service men and women and their families at this family fun day.
Visitors to next weekend’s celebration will be treated to demonstrations, face painting, paintball, climbing wall, and music from the bands of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, Sea Cadets and the 101 Pipes and Drums.
You will get the opportunity to see some of the army’s equipment up close which include a Scimitar Tank, Foden recovery vehicle and Field Ambulance and exciting items from the Royal Engineers.
During this special Jubilee celebrations day the people of Newcastle will also get the chance to celebrate our veterans who will be holding their own service of thanks at the city’s War Memorial at Old Eldon Square, and this will include the raising of the Armed Forces Day Flag.
The Lord Mayor of Newcastle, Cllr Jackie Slesenger, said: “We are looking forward to welcoming Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex to Newcastle especially during this special Diamond Jubilee year. The Gala Jubilee celebrations will give everyone in our region the chance to pay tribute to the dedication of our armed forces and also the extraordinary service of Her Majesty The Queen during her 60 years on the throne.”
As part of their return from Afghanistan the men and women of 201(Northern) Field Hospital (Volunteers) will parade through the city centre so there will be rolling road closures.
The parade start from the War Memorial, Eldon Square, at 10.15am and will travel along Blackett Street, Northumberland Street, Northumberland Road, John Dobson Street, St Mary’s Place, Barras Bridge and Claremont Road before reaching Exhibition Park. Drivers should allow for more time.
Page last updated: 22 June, 2012
