An annual event celebrating the work and sacrifices of the armed forces is returning this weekend with a three-day lineup of events and parades.
Weymouth has a long tradition of celebrating Armed Forces Weekend, which will be taking place this weekend from Saturday, June 17, and Monday, June 19.
The annual event seeks to celebrate and commemorate the armed forces and veterans. It will feature parades of military vehicles including tanks, bands and services.
Poppy Butcher, 94, has been helping to organise the weekend since 1994. She said: "We have always marked the occasion to remember all the soldiers. To honour the troops.
"I am looking forward to meeting people who have been coming to it for years, meeting people driving the vehicles and people coming out to appreciate it."
Poppy's son Kevin Butcher, 72, has taken on a good deal of the administration in organising the event from his mother. He said: "Everybody owes a huge debt of gratitude to the force that departed from Weymouth. It is something that has been passed down to me and my son to respect the sacrifice of those men. It is part of the town's DNA really.
"It is frightening to think what they went through. I think it is important, and the people of Weymouth respect that. It is very gratifying and Weymouth puts on a big event."
It will start on Saturday, June 17 from 10am with the arrival of the historic military vehicles on the pavilion forecourt. They will then parade along the Esplanade at 12.30pm.
There will also be association charities and awareness stalls located on Weymouth Esplanade throughout the day.
On Sunday, June 18 at 11am Weymouth seafront will host an open-air service for all veterans at the Cenotaph. This will then be followed by a parade along the seafront with marching bands and military vehicles. Bands will perform throughout the afternoon.
On Sunday, June 18 from 10am to 1pm the following roads will be closed for the parade - Greenhill (from its junction with Dorchester Road to The Esplanade), Brunswick Terrace/Waterloo Place William Street (from Greenhill to Victoria Street), Lennox Street (from The Esplanade to Victoria Street), Astrid Way The Esplanade (for its entire length), Pilgrims Way, South Parade and Belle Vue. They will each be re-opened as soon as practical after the parade has passed through.
Rounding things off on Monday, June 19 at 10.30am, Weymouth Town Council will be raising the flag at the New Town Hall, Commercial Road, Weymouth.
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