Sleaford pays tribute to Armed Forces
SERVICEMEN and women from Britain's armed forces past and present were honoured and celebrated in a parade through Sleaford at the weekend.
The parade on Sunday morning was part of a series of nationwide events being held on and around the inaugural Armed Forces Day of June 27, formerly known as Veterans' Day.
The aim was not only to pay tribute to those that may have served in the past but to also give a show of support to the country's existing armed forces' personnel who are currently seeing action in other parts of the world, such as Iraq or Afghanistan.
People of all ages lined the streets as the special parade of 180 military personnel marched through Sleaford town centre, led by the RAF Regiment Band, followed by contingents from RAF Cranwell and RAF Digby, veterans, officer cadets, Air Training Corps and Army Cadet Force.
They marched through Southgate to Market Place. Once there they and a good crowd of onlookers saw a flypast by a Dominie and a King Air from RAF Cranwell.
Station Warrant Officer John Houghton was responsible for organising the parade. He said: "It was magnificently supported by the people of Sleaford and well facilitated by North Kesteven District Council."
Following a blessing by Canon John Patrick, the parade continued along Eastgate, where RAF Cranwell station commander, Group Captain Nigel Wharmby, the Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire Tony Worth, chairman of North Kesteven District Council Coun Fred Ambridge, Mayor of Sleaford Coun Gordon Blythe and Canon Patrick received the salute. The parade continued to the North Kesteven District Council offices, where it ended.
* An Armed Forces Day Trail around the gardens open for the Sleaford Open Gardens event was organised by Sleaford Tourist Information Centre, with the opportunity to win a hamper of Lincolnshire goodies.
Last Monday, a new Armed Forces Day flag was raised on top of North Kesteven District Council offices, in Sleaford, to pay tribute to Britain's armed forces.
The flag remained raised until Sunday.
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Weather for Sleaford
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: -4 C to -1 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 1 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North west
