Armed Forces Day 2023 ceremonies in Darlington and Hetton

In Darlington, crowds gathered to watch the raising of the flag, a ceremony in the Market Square to mark Reserves Day (21 June) and Armed Forces Day (24 June).

Armed Forces Day is a chance to say thank you and show our support to all those who make up our Armed Forces, service families, veterans and cadets.

Read more: Lyndon Longhorne to open new Bishop Auckland building society branch

Organised by the council, the celebrations in Darlington were led by the Mayor of Darlington Cllr Jan Cossins, with councillors, other civic dignitaries, and representatives of the military all in attendance alongside Darlington’s veterans.

The Mayor said: “This is a chance for us to pay tribute and say thanks to all those who have served with our Armed Forces, past and present.

“It’s a great honour for me to be part of this event which recognises their efforts and sacrifices, and I hope as many people as possible will join us in the Market Square.”

Cllr Amanda Riley, the cabinet member for stronger communities, added: “We’re delighted to once again be able to raise the flag in tribute to our armed forces and look forward to welcoming as many local residents, schoolchildren, businesses, community groups and organisations to take part in this special ceremony.” 

For more quality journalism, subscribe to The Northern Echo for £1.50 a week here. 

Hetton Town Council also held a flying the flag ceremony, raising their flag to shop support for the Armed Forces.

Hetton Town Mayor Cllr Dave Geddis said: “We are honoured to fly the Armed Forces

Day flag at The Hetton Centre to show our recognition to the whole of our armed forces community”.

Deputy Town Mayor Councillor Richard Elvin added “This Armed Forces Day we take the opportunity to show our gratitude to all those in Hetton and district who are serving, or who have served, in the armed forces, and to their families.”

It has kicked off a weekend of celebration and commemoration. Businesses in the North East are also getting in on the action.

Arriva has celebrated its veteran bus drivers – a number of whom started their careers driving heavy-duty military vehicles.

One of them is bus driver Graham Taylor, 61, who travelled the world when he was a soldier with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, but now drives an Arriva bus in Runcorn, Cheshire.

Graham, 61, served for 27 years – completing tours of duty in the Falkland Isles, Northern Island and Afghanistan - before he retired and then joined Arriva.

Read next: 

• Ex-Cleveland Police officer jumped in taxi to flee scene
• Darlington man fined after using phone while driving - named
• Bat saved by National Highways worker near A1(M) Durham

Arriva is offering free travel to past and present members of the Armed Forces on all its bus services to thank them on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, June 24, 2023.

Other businesses marking Armed Forces Day include Amazon and Morrisons. Scott Morton, who works in Darlington’s Amazon as an operations manager, joined the company in 2020 after a career in the military. He was recently a finalist in the UK’s Ex-Forces in Business Awards.

At Morrisons, in celebration of Armed Forces Day, their cafes are offering a 50 per cent discount in its cafes for those in the armed forces and veterans.