Armed Forces Day celebration hailed a success

Thousands attended a special service for Armed Forces Day in Wisbech Market Place at the weekend, before cadets led a parade to pay tribute to veterans. Organisers were thrilled to see the turnout was even greater than last year’s and hailed it their best event yet.

Ray Hutchinson said: “It was a thoroughly enjoyable day and very successful from my view. It really was a great day. We had two armoured cars and two landrovers, all of which had served in the armed forces, and their drivers were real characters.

“They spent all day telling stories and talking to visitors, then wwhen they left, people were standing all the way up the street clapping and cheering. We’d never seen anything like it!”

The event also featured singing and music from Thomas Clarkson Academy, Wisbech Amateur Operatic Dramatic Society and Whittlesea Wind Ensemble.

Mr Hutchinson added: “The music was selected perfect for the mood of the day, everyone sat round and joined in with the songs.”

Representatives from the Royal Air Force, Royal British Legion, Army and Sea cadets, Air Training Corps, and for the first time, the Police Cadets, attended the event.

The day kicked off at 10am with the raising of the Armed Forces Day flag by cadet forces, and a few words from town mayor Gary Tibbs, before a thanksgiving service led by David Adlington.