Flag flies for Armed Forces Week in Islington

People in Islington are invited to show their support for servicemen and women for the Armed Forces Day Parade on Islington Green on Saturday June 27.

Guests of honour at the parade, which will start at 11am on June 27, include Field Marshal Sir John Chapple. The former British Army Chief of General Staff will be leading Islington Veterans’ Association members, serving military personnel and cadets.

The procession will be the final part of the borough’s observance of Armed Forces week, which recognises the sacrifices made by servicemen and women serving overseas and highlights the difficulty they and their families can have integrating into the local community.

Today (Monday June 22) military representatives, veterans and the Deputy Lieutenant Dr Charles Goodson-Wickes joined Islington mayor Cllr Richard Greening and chief executive Lesley Seary for a ceremony as the Armed Forces Week flag was raised over the Town Hall in Upper Street, N1.

Also, Islington Council has signed the Armed Forces Community Covenant, which includes offering council tax relief for serving personnel and making it easier for their children to attend local schools.

Cllr Gary Poole, Islington Council’s armed forces champion, said: “This is a time for everyone to show their appreciation for the tough job our armed forces personnel do and the debt that we owe them as a nation.

“Islington has a good track record of supporting serving armed forces personnel and veterans and this is a week when we can highlight the good and courageous work that they do."

The Islington Veterans' Association will host its annual Picnic on Islington Green next to the war memorial following the parade on June 27.