Armed Forces Weekend is set to return to Weymouth, with a host of events across a four-day line-up.

The annual event seeks to celebrate and commemorate the armed forces and veterans and will feature parades, bands and services.

This year’s Armed Forces Weekend will be held between Friday, June 21, and Monday, June 24.

Proceedings start on the Friday at the Jubilee Clock on the Esplanade between 6.30pm to 8.30pm where an Armour and Embarkation military vehicle group will display Second World War vehicles.

On Saturday, June 22, the Dorset Vehicle Association will line up their historic military vehicles at the Pavilion forecourt from 10am before making their way down the Esplanade at 12.30pm.

There will also be various charity and awareness stalls set up on the Esplanade throughout the day. 

There will also be live music from the Decadettes and the South Wales Police Band throughout the day. They will play at the following times:

  • 10.30am- The Decadettes  
  • 11am- South Wales Police Band  
  • 11.30am- The Decadettes  
  • 12pm- South Wales Police Band  
  • 2pm- South Wales Police Band  

A service for veterans will be held at the cenotaph on Weymouth seafront at 11am on Sunday, June 23. This will be followed by a parade along the seafront with marching bands and military vehicles.

Bands play on the Pavilion forecourt on the Sunday at the following times: 

  • 1.30pm- South West Area Sea Cadet Band 
  • 2pm- Wessex Military Band 
  • 2.30pm- Decadettes 
  • 3pm- Dolphin Marching Band 

On Monday, the weekend concludes with a flag raising ceremony held outside the Weymouth Town Council offices at the New Town Hall on Commercial Road.

Mayor of Weymouth, Cllr Jon Orrell, said: “From honouring our veterans to recognising the work of our serving armed forces personnel, Weymouth Town Council is organising a host of events over Armed Forces Weekend which this year starts on Friday, June 21. 

“Hot on the heels of the commemorations for D-Day 80, join us as we pay our respect to the resilience of our Armed Forces communities. We’ll have military vehicle convoys and displays, a service and parade, along with music and entertainment from the era to entertain the whole family at this prestigious event.”  

Cllr Joanna Dickenson, whose son is currently serving on a submarine in the Royal Navy, added: “Having recently taken on the role of Armed Forces Covenant Champion at the council, I am honoured to be attending the service at the Cenotaph on Sunday as part of Armed Forces Weekend.” 

There are parking suspensions imposed from 3pm on the Saturday until Sunday, June 23 on both sides of the Esplanade from East Street to Greenhill, from its junction with Dorchester Road to the Esplanade, including Waterloo Place and Brunswick Terrace. There will also be no parking on Astrid Way or the seaward side of Alexandra Gardens at this time.

On Sunday, between 10am and 1pm there will be temporary road closures in place as part of the event. 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 will all be temporarily closed during this time.