Parachuting teddy bears, acrobatic aerial displays, live music and entertainment and even an attempt to break a world record – those are just some of the highlights of this year's Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Armed Forces Day taking place on Saturday 17th June.
The event at Aylesbury Rugby Club in Weston Turville has got something to appeal to all. The day gives everyone the chance to celebrate and show their support for the dedication and hard work of all the men and women who are serving and have served in our armed forces including veterans, reservists and cadets.
The gates open at 12, followed shortly after by the official Armed Forces Day flag raising accompanied by the RAF Regiment Band at 12.30. The world-renowned aerial acrobatic team the Red Arrows will be making a special flypast across the rugby field at 1pm and will be closely followed by the organised air display featuring classic planes including a Spitfire and Hurricane and dare-devil antics from an experienced team of pilots flying aircraft including a P51 Mustang and a Yak 52.
Musical entertainment will be provided across two stages with performers including Ska Souls, Malbec Jazz Trio, Wycombe Steel Orchestra and My Holiday Romance. Mid afternoon The Jive Aces will take to the stage to perform their set of high energy Jump Jive music and will get the audience to join in with their attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the biggest swing dance.
The rugby field will be packed with a host of other attractions including rides, stalls and games and at 4pm don't miss the chance to see the brave Ted Devils display as six brave teddy bears jump from a plane to parachute into the central arena. Emergency services will be on hand to come to the aid of any bears who land badly and the Royal British Legion will be running a competition to guess which bear will land closest to the ground target.
Patricia Birchley, Chairman of Buckinghamshire County Council said: "Once again this year we have a packed programme of live entertainment, amusements and attractions at Armed Forces Day with something to suit all tastes and ages.
"Armed Forces Day is always a great day out and gives our local community the opportunity to show their support and gratitude to our armed forces for their hard work and sacrifice."
Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher, Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire said: "In the light of the 2015 Shoreham tragedy, we would like to reassure local residents that our Air Display has been arranged to minimise the areas where unauthorised spectators may gather and to limit the overflying of those areas. Special warning signs will be displayed in these areas.
"We would like to warn those people who wish to risk spectating at areas other than in the organised crowd enclosures at Aylesbury Rugby Club that they may place themselves in obvious danger if they try to view the display from areas such as along New Road near Weston Turville Golf Club or some of the public footbaths to the North of Aylesbury Rugby Club."
You can buy your tickets for this year's event on the day or take advantage of our early bird discounts by picking up your tickets in advance from Aylesbury, Amersham, Burnham, Wendover and High Wycombe Libraries or online: www.buckscc.gov.uk/armedforcesday
Timings are as follows:
| 12 noon | Event opens |
| 12.30pm | Official Armed Forces Day flag raising accompanied by the RAF Regiment Band |
| 1.00pm | Red Arrows flypast |
| 1.20pm | Air display featuring a Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster as well as a Yak 52 and P51 Mustang |
| 2.30pm | Jive Aces and the World Record swing dance attempt |
| 4.00pm | Ted Devils display |
| 5.45pm | Flag lowering |
| 7.00pm | Event closes |
