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23rd June 2025
Posted by Aston Avery
The armed forces flag was raised this morning (Monday, 23 June) at a special ceremony outside the Basildon Centre.
Veterans joined the Mayor of Basildon, councillors, council staff, and residents to mark the occasion.
The raising of the flag kicks off a week that will see a number of events taking place including a coffee morning, jobs fair and a parade on Armed Forces Day.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mayor of Basildon, Councillor Allan Davies, thanked everyone for attending and paid tribute to the servicemen and women who “gave so much to achieve the freedom we all enjoy today”.
Addressing the crowd, the Mayor said:
“We each share a great sense of pride today as we are able to come together and publicly thank you – our armed forces of past, present and future – for preserving our freedom, for your service, your sacrifice, your bravery and your commitment, as we remember that you need us to stand with you and your families, as you stand for us.”
Later this week, on Thursday, 26 June, there will be a chance to recognise the borough’s local heroes over a brew as part of a veterans’ coffee morning.
Taking place in the Town Gate Café between 9am and 11am, the event provides an informal opportunity to chat to and honour the incredible contributions of veterans’, with the council leader opening the event with a message of gratitude and reflection.
After the coffee morning, between 11am and 1pm, there will be a Pathways jobs fair in the Basildon Centre, dedicated to helping veterans, and their families plan their futures by finding employment or accessing free training and qualifications.
On Saturday, 28 June – Armed Forces Day itself – there will be a special parade through the Town Centre to celebrate servicemen and women.
The procession will begin at 11:50am, setting off from the former Toys R Us site before making its way through the Town Centre to St Martin’s Square.
For further details about events planned to mark Armed Forces Day, visit
www.basildon.gov.uk/ArmedForces2025.
