All-action launch to reveal plans for Plymouth Armed Forces Day 2025
A high-speed commando race across The Sound marked the official launch of Plymouth Armed Forces Day - 100 days before we celebrate on Plymouth Hoe.
The adrenalin fuelled launch saw an all-action military exercise, as part of a Royal Marines recruitment drive to inspire the next generation of Commandos. The event included a high-speed on-water display, bringing eight Royal Marines from the recruiting team of the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines, across Plymouth Sound National Marine Park in their new Commando Raiding Craft, flying the Armed Forces and sponsor’s flag.
After landing on the Hoe foreshore, the Royal Marines climbed the 70ft walls of The Royal Citadel to the battlements, before the Armed Forces flag was presented to the Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Councillor Tina Tuohy. The flag was proudly flown from the battlements of the Citadel. The Marines departed by abseiling the Citadel walls and returning to their craft.
Today’s launch revealed the epic programme of displays, parades, demonstrations and entertainment that is planned for Armed Forces Day, in association with defence company Babcock International Group (Babcock), which owns and operates the Devonport Royal Dockyard. It's a cracking way to remember to put a date in the diary for Saturday 28 June!
The launch party watched this thrilling exercise from battlements of The Royal Citadel. This included: WO2 Battery Sergeant Major Jim Feasey from 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Deputy Lord Mayor and Consort, Managing Director of Babcock‘s Devonport facility John Gane, representatives from Plymouth City Council and each Military Service, including Veterans, Cadets and Military Kids Club Heroes.
Plymouth Armed Forces Day is a celebration and a chance to show your support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community. It is expected that over 45,000 people will flock to Plymouth Hoe, to enjoy the free family-fun event.
This year’s line-up will see audiences wowed by the all-day arena and stage programme, parades, hands-on displays and challenges, military vehicles and equipment, thrilling demonstrations and entertainment.
Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Libraries, Events, Cemeteries and Crematoria, Councillor Sally Haydon, said: “Armed Forces Day is not only a brilliant day out, filled with fun for the whole family, but an important opportunity to show our support for all members of the armed forces and thank them for their hard work and dedication.
“Plymouth is incredibly proud of its military history and our Armed Forces based in the city. Thank you also to Babcock for their continued support, and all the other sponsors of this great event.”
John Gane, Managing Director of Babcock’s Devonport facility, said: “We recognise the important role our Armed Forces play in keeping our country safe and we are proud to work alongside them, which is why we always look forward to celebrating this great event. As the main sponsors of Plymouth Armed Forces Day for more than a decade, we’re delighted to be able to support bringing our community together and showcase the many career opportunities available with us.”
Regimental Sergeant Major Stefan Spink from 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, said: “We are delighted to host this year’s Plymouth Armed Forces Day launch at The Royal Citadel on The Hoe and support the Royal Marines recruitment drive. Armed Forces Day brings communities together – strengthening the connection between the military and the local people, we look forward to playing our part on the 28 June.”
Plymouth Armed Forces Day will open at 10am, with the Parade of Standards at 11am – open to all veterans – which will see Veterans and Cadets parade across the Hoe Promenade, led by the City of Plymouth Pipe Band, who are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year.
There will be plenty of action-packed activities and displays to experience throughout the day, including the Royal Navy Dive Tank. Visitors can chat to service personnel, with representatives from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Air Force and British Army in attendance. Members of the Fire Service, Devon and Cornwall Police, RNLI and Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team Plymouth will also be there on the day, all with lots of hands-on equipment to try.
The Veteran’s Village will be full of charities and organisations that offer support and advice for both serving personnel and veterans.
Foster for Plymouth, sponsors of the pre-school entertainment, will be providing lots of free fun activities suitable for young children including glitter tattoos and appearances from some very popular characters in the afternoon. Find them in the marquee on the Hoe promenade where you can also speak to the team to learn more about fostering in Plymouth.
The event offers a multitude of entertainment and thrills, with Cadet displays, Junior Field Gun tournaments, demonstrations from REORG Jiu Jitsu members and Team Endeavours Punishers Wheelchair Rugby, plus live music from the City of Plymouth Pipe Band, Military Wives Choir, Rock Choir and much more.
The entertainment continues into the evening with a free outdoor music concert from 5.30pm to 10.30pm, sponsored by C&G Catering, featuring the jive jump band Company B, Not the Cowboys and Oasis tribute – Be Here Now. The evening will finish with a dazzling, energy-packed performance from Good Times, which will have the crowds dancing to the raw funk, soul and disco dynamics of Nile Rodgers’ music.
Watch the full Royal Marines recruitment video: https://vimeo.com/1067285598/70a86b285e
For all the latest information about Plymouth Armed Forces Day, visit: plymoutharmedforcesday.co.uk. For further information about Babcock International, visit: babcockinternational.com