THE PEOPLE of Dorchester are urged to show their support for servicemen past and present at the town’s Veterans and Armed Forces Day.

The event on Saturday, July 2, will see veterans, armed service personnel and cadets parade through the town before a celebration in the Borough Gardens.

People are invited to bring a picnic and enjoy music, stalls and displays by service and ex-service personnel.

Committee chairman George Osborne, from the Royal Naval Association, said: “We are hoping the town will come and support us, last year it was very successful and we hope it will be the same.”

He added that it was important for people to be able to recognise the efforts of those who were serving or had served in the armed forces.

Mr Osborne said: “All the people in the services are giving their lives for the safety of the country.

“It’s especially for the younger people to show their appreciation and get to know more about what it’s all about.”

The event is being supported by Dorchester Town Council and the Dorchester branch of the Royal British Legion.

The parade will leave North Square at 1.25pm and march down South Street, across Trinity Street and along Bowling Alley Walk to the Borough Gardens.

It will include units of armed forces, service veterans, cadets, Ex-Ghurkas, police, ambulance and fire services, World War Two vehicles and the Wessex Military Band.

After the parade there will be a civic service in the Borough Gardens at 2pm, followed by the musical entertainment from the Wessex Military Band and Dorchester Big Band.

There will also be a beer tent and café available with veterans on hand to answer any questions from curious members of the public.

Bill Harper, secretary of the Dorchester branch of the Royal British Legion, said: “It’s an important day for all service and ex-service personnel as well as the reserve forces and cadet forces and we want to try and get everybody involved as much as possible.

“It’s to remember those who are serving in various places now but also not to forget the veterans.”

Deputy town clerk Steve Newman added: “The council is very pleased to support the event and to have the town’s civic service as part of it.”