This Saturday you can help mark Armed Forces Day in Southend.

Southend Council will be supporting local Armed Forces Day celebrations, organised by the Southend Carnival Events on behalf of Southend Borough Council, to celebrate and honour service men and women.

Groups from Normandy Veterans association, Veterans’ Breakfast Club, Royal Naval association, armed forces charity SSAFA, Sea Cadets, Westcliff Royal British Legion, The Air Training Corps and the Royal Air Force Association will be at the event. 

A parade will gather at 10.30 for 10.45 am start from Southend Central railway bridge on the High Street and finish outside the Victoria Shopping Centre, where an open-air service will be held at 11am.

This includes the firing of the Royal Artillery Regiment gun to mark the start and end of the silence.

Military vehicles will be on display from the Essex Historic Military Association (HMVA), giving visitors an insight in to the types of vehicles used in WW1 and WW2, as well as some relatively modern military vehicles.

These will then be on display at City Beach on Sunday.

Families and visitors of all ages are invited to join the celebration alongside councillors, councillor Fay Evans, and veterans and community groups.

Leader of Southend Council, Cllr John Lamb, said: “Southend has a rich military history, and we feel privileged to be able to celebrate the lives of all our service men and women, past, present and future.

“In previous years we have enjoyed a wonderful weekend of events, and this weekend will be no different.

“Remembering those who lost their lives serving our country is the greatest sign of respect, and we cherish the opportunity to do so with veterans and members of the public alike.”

Further information about the event can be found at www.visitsouthend.co.uk

Those attending will be able to use the public car parks located near Southend High Street.

London Road, from College Way to the Odeon Cinema will be closed to traffic from approximately 8am to 1pm.

Arrangements have been made for the taxi rank to be temporarily relocated to the suspended bays outside RBS/Santander.

Access to the rank will be via the stewarded road closure point.

Those interested in Armed Forces celebrations are reminded that, on Sunday, June 25, there is a day of activities marking the final day of Poppies: Wave at Barge Pier, Gunners Park, Shoeburyness.

Further information about this event can be found at visitsouthend.co.uk/poppies