North Wales Armed Forces Day (Picture Special!)

Thousands gathered in the sunshine yesterday to take part in the North Wales Armed Forces Day celebrations. 

Held on Llwyn Isaf, Armed Forces Day took place throughout the morning and afternoon playing host to a number of stalls, activities and live entertainment.

The official ceremony began with a parade comprising of reservists from North Wales, RAF personnel from RAF Cosford, all three cadet services and veterans from across the area. The parade was led by the Regimental Band of the Royal Welsh, one of the very few all brass bands within the British Army – plus the ceremonial goat!

Two RAF Hawks ended the ceremony by flying over the town centre. Later on in the day a Spitfire also crossed over Wrexham as part of the Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight.

A few people might have noticed the Armed Forces Day bunting that has been hung around the town this week!

On Queens Square there were a number of activities available to take part in, including fair ground rides, face painting, a flight simulator and military climbing walls.

Below are some pictures that were tweeted to Wrexham.com during the day:

@wrexham #ArmedForcesDay pic.twitter.com/D9Rg12wT8d

— Laurie (@laurielynlaa) June 21, 2014

@wrexham Just before take off this afternoon. #ArmedForcesDay #allwaysremember pic.twitter.com/DneZiK70rJ — Paul Turnbull (@pt4496) June 21, 2014

@wrexham @wrexhamcbc #ArmedForcesDay pic.twitter.com/FeAfLLqxAT

— Helen 01978 (@helen01978) June 21, 2014

@wrexham great day had at Armed Forces Day with @ChangeStepWales. Spoke to loads of people and helped raise awareness pic.twitter.com/bxQmExZbuC — Toxic Sky (@jace3312) June 21, 2014

@SSAFA @ArmedForcesDay Great Family event today @Wrexham – support our Troops #ArmedForcesDay #proudArmyWife #family pic.twitter.com/OpIxz3ZjdE

— Nia Davies (@NiaCowap) June 21, 2014

@wrexhamcbc @wrexham #ArmedForcesDay pic.twitter.com/6ziAU09o5P — Helen 01978 (@helen01978) June 21, 2014

#Photo from today’s #ArmedForcesDay in @wrexham – good to see so much support! pic.twitter.com/M0RpW5sYyt

— Nicky Nelson (@CanDoNicky) June 21, 2014

The Spitfire over Wrexham. pic.twitter.com/iCtIiQJyFw

— Dave Hylands (@DPHylands) June 21, 2014

@wrexham @wendylgriff great turn out in Wrexham today for North Wales Armed Forces Day, good to see pic.twitter.com/tkM1JdDyDH — Paul Griffiths (@no1griff) June 21, 2014

Just seen siencyn the goat on his best behaviour @wrexham #armedforcesparade pic.twitter.com/FjvgYx3k0T

— wendy l griffiths (@wendylgriff) June 21, 2014

A protest was also held at the day, with Wise Up Wales placing images online saying they placed a banner “in front of the stall where soldiers were encouraging small children to play with guns”

George wearing Chelsea #Manning placard at #ArmedForcesDay in Wrexham earlier today. Removing the fog of war… pic.twitter.com/SndPpGbAGI

— WISE Up Wales (@WISEUpWales) June 21, 2014

The very hot weather was enjoyed by many, but we did see a couple of people succumb to the heat. Later on St Johns Ambulance said: “A busy day today at the Armed Forces Day in Wrexham
Three patients taken to ED for further assessment.” We are told that thankfully all patients were fine.

@wendylgriff @wrexham on Armed Forces Day, lovely view of poppy field in the Ceiriog Valley, Welsh beauty at its best pic.twitter.com/zOydp9x9Eu

— Paul Griffiths (@no1griff) June 21, 2014