Armed Forces Week 2025 begins on Monday June 23, to recognise, honour and celebrate the contributions of all those who serve or have served in His Majesty’s Armed Forces.
On Monday there will be a short service and the raising of the Armed Forces Day Flag at 10:50am on Victoria Square.
The public are invited to attend and show their support of our Armed Forces both past and present.
The Mayor of Bolton will then host a free veterans’ lunch in the town hall and all veterans are invited. There will be live entertainment which ultimately will lead into the forces themed singalong and flag waving. Carr’s Pasties, Park Cakes Bolton and Bank Top Brewery have kindly offered food and beer free of charge in support for our veterans and serving members of the armed forces.
On Saturday June 28, we hold our annual Armed Forces Day event on Victoria Square (10.30am – 3.30pm) with a short service followed by a family fun day with lots of stalls and free activities such as paintballing, Bolton Cadets on display, Re-enactments, veterans army and fortitude fitness offering a variety of machines for people to have a go and more free activities for all the family.
There will be military vehicles and weapons on display, supported by our local 216Bty Royal Artillery.
Cllr Ryan Bamforth, Bolton Council’s Armed Forces Champion, said:
“This is an important time to honour our military and show our support for the important job they do.
As a veteran myself, this means more now as I see the role and position in the Armed Forces world change to a thankful and supportive place. I am thankful for what the Armed Forces has awarded me in memories, friendships, and experiences, both good and bad. More importantly, I am thankful that we still have brave servicemen and women who are still out there defending us.
I also welcome all Bolton’s veterans to the luncheon at the town hall on Monday where we will also be raising the Armed Forces Day flag to coincide with events across the country.
“It will also be great to see service personnel, Cadets and Veterans in Victoria Square with the people of Bolton enjoying the spectacle of Armed Forces Day.
Bolton organises Armed Forces week to show our support to our Armed Forces Past and Present.”