28/02/2023
Dear Cornwall Veterans,
I wish to update you on planned events for the Armed Forces Day National Event (AFDNE) Cornwall 2023 which will take place throughout Cornwall, culminating in Falmouth on 23-25 June 2023.
Last year Cornwall Council won the competitive bidding process for AFDNE 23 amidst stiff competition from a number of towns and cities around the country. The bid was singled out for Cornwall’s success at hosting events of national and international significance on the back of G7 and Tour of Britain. In addition, the compilation of the bid was heavily supported by all of Cornwall’s resident Armed Forces units and support organisations, a feature unique to our bid.
Work to organise the event is well underway and key features will include but not be limited to:
• 2nd March – Sponsors event at RAF St Mawgan
• 16th March – 100 Days to go press launch event at Pendennis Castle
• April – May – Schools and youth groups outreach programme
• April – June – Series of community and local events throughout Cornwall to lead up to the main weekend
• 22nd June – Armed Forces Conference at Falmouth University with an emphasis on Health and Wellbeing
• 23-25 June – Main weekend held in Falmouth
The website we have set up will be the main source of information and this will be constantly updated in the lead up to the event. Veterans groups will be able to apply for places in the parade and tickets for the gala dinner and veterans breakfast via the website and this functionality will be live shortly:
Home - Armed Forces Day (cornwall.gov.uk)
There are a number of key features of the events:
Sustainability – A theme that will run throughout the build up and the delivery of the main weekend. There will be lots of opportunity for local groups and schools to get involved in events to both celebrate the event and offset the carbon from the main weekend
Community Events – Groups will be able to brand their own events under the AFDNE Cornwall branding or organise their own events, utilising the community toolkit which will be hosted on the website
Getting involved – We want as much involvement as possible from individuals, community groups, veterans groups, charities and schools and there are numerous opportunities to do so. Full details and contact forms will be posted on the website as soon as they become available.
Volunteering - The main weekend will require an ‘’army’’ of volunteers to run smoothly. We need help with car parks, marshalling, programme distribution, information points and venue support. If you, your veterans group or any of your friends, families or residents want to get involved, please direct them to the following link to register as a volunteer:
https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=d2jOlzSk10aRxRJcWSPXlhgZuvTnAXBFjaFXUqtPrOZUNDMxM0UwNk9VRzhYV0FRUUhCRzhNRk00RiQlQCN0PWcu&fbclid=IwAR1rrDvxugFqnwZ1zy1Qu5IR3gtW0kc-b0Vy8GYRKfL9Xr7YUkAp4mHIBRY
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to let us know
[email protected]
Councillor Louis Gardner
Cabinet Member and Portfolio Holder for the Economy
Cornwall Council Armed Forces Champion
Mr Darren Keelor
Veterans Groups Co-ordinator
We have two fabulous volunteering opportunities in Falmouth this summer and are looking for 100+ event volunteers to help with the overall visitor experience to ensure that each event goes smoothly and gives all attendees a day to remember! The Armed Forces Day National Event 2023 (23rd to 25th June...
