Armed forces : Events

Veterans breakfast club in Maidenhead

Date to be advised.

Armed Forces Week Monday 24 June - Saturday 29 June 2024

As we lead into Armed forces day 2024 we have the following events in RBWM.

• Monday 24 June 2024 Armed forces flag raising at Maidenhead town hall at 10 am- open to all who wish to attend.
• Monday 24 June 2024 meeting at Windsor Racecourse- 50% discount for members of the Armed forces community, serving, Reserve and cadet forces members. Book online for 50% discount with the code FORCES24 or arrive on the day for the same discount. Proof of ID required and there is no limit to the numbers of tickets you can buy so bring everyone! The Welsh Guards will be supporting this event and the Royal British Legion collecting on the evening. Gates open 3.30pm, first race 5.35pm last race 8.40pm. book via  https://www.windsor-racecourse.co.uk/
• Wednesday 26 June 2024 - Reserves day. Members of the reserve forces are encouraged to wear their uniform to work to highlight this hidden service to our country.
• Saturday 29 June 2024 - Rotary summer Fayre and Armed forces day. Come and join us by the Thames in Alexander Gardens in Windsor for a Summer party including the Armed forces day event. Open from 10 am with a Duck race at 4 pm. The main Armed forces day focus will be a drum head service at 1pm at the Bandstand to commemorate DDay 80th. There will also be a performance of Children from Alexander first school in Windsor. Open to all serving or veteran/reserves, we welcome the wearing of ties medals and berets but equally know some prefer not to be so attired.
• Saturday 29 June 2024 Maidenhead High Street- Maidenhead Royal British Legion will also be holding a small event on the high street on.   

Armed forces day and Reserves day are National events being held all over the UK during this week. https://www.armedforcesday.org.uk/

Remembrance Sunday Civic Service and Parade 

On the Sunday nearest the 11 November, a Remembrance Sunday Civic Service and Parade is held in Maidenhead at the War Memorial outside the Town Hall, St Ives Road, Maidenhead and in Windsor at the War Memorial outside Windsor Parish Church.

Maidenhead - Contingents from ex-service organisation, cadet forces, uniformed and voluntary organisations assemble in Bridge Avenue.  The Parade will march from Bridge Avenue along York Road and into St Ives Road, where it will halt and those taking part will take up position on the road opposite the War Memorial. Once the Parade has formed up, the Mayoral Party and the Clergy will process from the Town Hall and take up their positions.  

There is a brief Wreath laying ceremony at the War memorial, following which those taking part in the will process to St Mary’s Church where the service will continue.  At the conclusion of the service in the church, the Mayoral Party will process back from the church and will take up position at the entrance to the Town Hall.  Those taking part in the parade will leave the church and will form up in the High Street and the Parade will march past the Civic Party at the Town Hall.

Windsor - Contingents from ex-service organisation, cadet forces, uniformed and voluntary organisations assemble in Park Street. The Parade will march from Park Street along the High Street where they will halt and take up position on the road opposite the War Memorial.  Once the Parade has formed up, the Mayoral Party will process from the Guildhall and take up positions.  

There is a brief Wreath laying ceremony at the War memorial, following which those taking part in the will process into the Church where the service will continue.

Creating a Reading Community

Libraries in the Borough will be supporting the following initiatives with the Armed Forces Community:

• Story engagement sessions for families with young toddlers.
• Library signing up sessions at Army locations.
• Empathy and Reading Well story times - exploring how books can assist with emotional events.
• Book chat groups with school age children promoting reading for pleasure.
• Book chat groups with adults promoting reading for pleasure.
• Parent sessions outlining library and associated online resources.
• Library story train sessions taking groups to visit local libraries.
• Teen/Young Adult drop-in session – focus on reading for pleasure and well-being.

On Sunday 21 January 2024 Library staff delivered a character Storytime and craft event at Poppies Community Centre on the Broom Farm Estate, Windsor. Karina Phillips, Army Welfare Officer, was in attendance.  

This event was hosted by Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Libraries Team with funding from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund.  The literary character ‘Hugless Douglas’ was in attendance and in total 18 attended the event.    
A quote from a member of our team said "It was a joy to see parents engaging with their children and other parents as well as the Army Welfare Officer".

Our Library Staff shared local branch information with parents and discussed the services that are available to them and their family at the Library.