This morning, at 10:15am, Rutland residents, military personnel and town and county officials gathered to mark the start of Armed Forces Week.

Attendees showed their support and appreciation for the British Armed Forces by attending the county's annual Armed Forces Week flag raising event at Oakham Castle this Monday, 19 June 2023.

Oakham Castle was host to Rutland's flag raising event to mark Armed Forces Week 2023. Image credit: Nub News.

The event was introduced by local officials, including Mrs Jeannette Warner, who introduced the event, and Rutland's High Sheriff Mrs Geraldine Feehally, together with representatives from Rutland County Council, Oakham Town Council, Uppingham Town Council, the Royal British Legion and the RAF Association.

Armed Forces Week is celebrated every year in Rutland and across the country. Image credit: Nub News.

As always, the event was open to the public and began with introduction from local officials, before a short ceremony began in the grounds of Oakham Castle.

Cllrs Lucas and Wadsworth from Oakham Town Council, as well as Geraldine Feehally, the High Sheriff of Rutland attended the flag raising event at Oakham Castle. Image credit: Nub News.

The Armed Forces flag was then raised by a party from the 1st Military Working Dogs Regiment, based at St George's Barracks.  

Rutland is home to many military families. Image credit: Nub News.

Councillor David Wilby, the newly appointed Armed Forces Champion for Rutland County Council, also spoke at the event.

He said: "We have a long and proud history of supporting our Armed Forces community here in Rutland. I am delighted to honour those who are serving in our county and our extensive veteran community by attending in this year's flag raising. One in five of all people who live in Rutland has some kind of connection to the Armed Forces so please join us and show your support for all those who've served our country." 

The flag raising event at Oakham Castle was well attended. Image credit: Nub News.

Rutland's Flag Raising Ceremony is just the start of a week of activities to mark Armed Forces Week. On Wednesday 21 June, the county's monthly Veteran's Wellbeing Hub will be welcoming local veterans with tea and cake at the Council's offices in Oakham, starting at 10.30am.  

Rutland's dedicated First Responders attended the flag raising at Oakham Castle. Image credit: Nub News.

On Friday 23 June, the Council is hosting a special event for the children of Armed Forces personnel from across Rutland. The event includes a drama workshop to taiko drumming and will be a farewell those children leaving Rutland this summer.

On Armed Forces Day itself, Saturday 24 June, there will be a special Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club taking place at the Grainstore Pub in Oakham, starting at 9am. All members of the Armed Forces Community are welcome to come along and have a discounted breakfast. 

Working dogs and military personnel were present at Rutland's flag raising event 2023. Image credit: Nub News.

Finally, on Tuesday 27 June, HMP Stocken veterans will be enjoying breakfast together and holding a small flag raising ceremony of their own. Serving members of the Armed Forces and veterans are very welcome to attend but must contact: [email protected] before 23 June to register an interest.   

For more information about National Armed Forces Day celebrations, please visit the Armed Forces Day website.

Thank you to all members of the Armed Forces for their service.

The ceremonial horseshoes at Oakham Castle. Image credit: Nub News.