Uttlesford honours Britain's armed forces
A SPECIAL flag is flying outside Uttlesford District Council s Saffron Walden office this week to honour Britain s armed forces. Chairman of Uttlesford District Council, Cllr Alastair Walters, proudly hoisted the flag at a special ceremony held this morni
A SPECIAL flag is flying outside Uttlesford District Council's Saffron Walden office this week to honour Britain's armed forces.
Chairman of Uttlesford District Council, Cllr Alastair Walters, proudly hoisted the flag at a special ceremony held this morning. The event marked the beginning of a week of celebrations marking the contribution of Britain's army, navy and air force. It culminates in Armed Forces Day on Saturday (June 27).
The flag-raising ceremony was one of hundreds taking place across Britain, when specially designed flags resembling the Union Jack were each hoisted into the sky at 10.30am.
Veterans from the Royal British Legion, local women who served in the Land Army during the Second World War and soldiers from 33 Engineer Regiment joined councillors and officers from Saffron Walden Town and Uttlesford District councils to watch as the flag was raised while a bugle call was performed.
Before raising the flag, Cllr Walters said: "This is the first time this ceremony has taken place, and it is a natural follow-on to the splendid march past and presentation of the Freedom of Uttlesford, which went so very well last Sunday week.
"I have been delighted at the way the nation as a whole has demonstrated an increasingly tangible recognition and appreciation of our people and what they do. I hope that this flag-raising ceremony, and Armed Forces Day itself, will contribute to a wider understanding of the armed forces community, of the crucial role that it plays in our national life, and of the remarkable men and women, both currently serving and veteran, who are at its heart."
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The flag will remain flying outside the London Road offices for a week, before being presented to a veteran from the Royal British Legion to keep until it is raised again next year.
Following this morning's ceremony, RSM Justin Spreadborough from 33 Engineer Regiment presented a cast bronze sculpture to Cllr Walters as a sign of gratitude for last week's presentation of the Freedom of the District of Uttlesford.
