Dudley flies the flag to celebrate Armed Forces Week
A special flag honouring the work of the armed forces is flying high from Dudley Council House as Armed Forces Week begins today.
The Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Hilary Bills, led the Fly the Flag civic ceremony this morning at Coronation Gardens in Dudley town centre, which concluded with the raising of the flag above the landmark building on Priory Road.
Dudley’s first citizen was joined by Flt Lt Jesse Popplestone from RAF Cosford, who read the poem Our Wall by Battle of Britain pilot Flt Lt Willam Walker.
The commemorative flag will remain atop the Council House throughout the week, ahead of Sunday’s Armed Forces Day celebration at Himley Hall and Park.
The Mayor of Dudley addresses the audience at the Fly the Flag civic ceremony.
Councillor Hilary Bills, the Mayor of Dudley, said:
In Dudley, we have a long and proud history of working closely with our armed forces and we’re committed to creating closer links with servicemen and servicewomen past and present.
By raising the Armed Forces Flag above our Council House, we’re reinforcing this commitment and saying thank you to our armed forces personnel for their dedication and hard work.
The first day of Armed Forces Week is also the start of the final countdown to our Armed Forces Day event, which I’m really proud to be playing a leading role in as Mayor.
Dudley’s Armed Forces Day will bring together current and former members of the military, cadets, and families for a day of celebration and recognition.
Visitors can enjoy military displays, free vintage dance taster lessons from All About Swing, a craft and vintage fair, vintage tea tent and much more.
The event is free and runs from 11am to 4pm. More information on Armed Forces Day is available on the Himley Hall and Park website.