updated 7th June 2022
Wednesday 15th June; Falkland memorial service, 40th anniversary, form-up 10:30 for 10:45 service at the war memorial, St. Peter’s Square, Wolverhampton,
Monday 20th June; Armed Forces Day (25th), Flag Raising Ceremony to launch Armed Forces week, form-up 09:20hrs. for 09:50hrs ceremony in Victoria Square, Birmingham,
Saturday 25th June; WEOLEY CASTLE BIRMINGHAM ARMED FORCES DAY 2022 12:30 pm. to 8:00 pm.This will include Veteran’s Associations, Reservists, Cadets, Regimental and Association Standard Bearers, Form-up Parade on Weoley Castle Square at 13:00hrs. for 13:30pm step-off, the Parade will march down Somerford Road onto the Weoley Castle Public House to form-up on the car park for the parade to be addressed by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham and local Councillors. To include the “Act of Remembrance” by the Rev. Fiona Harrison Smith, followed by; the “Last Post”, – silence – “Reveille”.
There will be entertainment for the duration of the day with bouncy castle, face painting, children’s rides, military memorabilia, disco, karaoke, hot food van, Ice cream van.
association stands and more entertainment, TBC.
ARMED FORCES WEEKEND; Saturday 25th June & Sunday 26th June 2022; Show your support for our country’s Armed Forces during Armed Forces Weekend at the National memorial Arboretum on Saturday 25th June & Sunday 26th June 2022, 9am.-5pm. Join us at this celebratory event to recognise the service and work of our Armed Forces. with fun activities and entertainment for all ages, including Climbing Walls, Archery, Zipline, Veteran’s Village RAF Flypasts* and live music, this is sure to be a fun weekend for the whole family. http://www.thenma.org.uk/events-at-the-arboretum/forthcoming-events/armed-forces-day-weekend/
Saturday 25th June; Wolverhampton Armed Forces Day;
Events all day in West Park, Park Road West, Wolverhampton WV1 4PH everyone welcome, especially military personnel, veterans, friend’s and families, details of full programme of events can be found at; www.armedforceswolves.com TBC
Sunday 26th June; National Service Veterans Association annual service and act of remembrance at their own NSVA memorial for men conscripted into the armed forces to do their two years “National service 1939-1960”, standard bearers form-up 11:30 for 12:00 service at the NMA Alrewas, veterans to be seated by 11:45, http://www.thenma.org.uk/events
Monday 27th June; 13th annual veterans’ day, 10:00 to 14:45 at Swanshurst school, Brook Lane, Birmingham, B13 0TW, report at 09:00 to register before 10:00 start, all veterans are invited to talk to the pupils about their experience, (especially Falklands vet’s for the 40th anniversary) standard bearers are welcome for the opening and closing ceremony with the act of remembrance, a thank you sandwich lunch is provided, RSVP to; Steve McCabe’s office 01214433878.
Saturday 2nd July; Royal Artillery Day, (Gunner’s Day) annual service, form-up 11:30hrs. for 12:00hrs. service, after the service wreath laying and act of remembrance in the RA memorial garden at the NMA Alrewas, www.thenma.org.uk
Sunday 3rd July; Somme Sunday, with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment Association annual service and parade with act of remembrance, form-up 11:30hrs. for 12:00hrs. service at Aston parish church, Witton Lane, Birmingham, B6 6QA
National Service Veterans Association Day trip: We have a coach booked for Wednesday 10th August 2022, 08:30 the “Hanging tree” pub, Halesowen, 09:00 Strathallen Hotel (parking on upper floors) then to Bury Market (about 4 hours stay), leave Mkt @ 16:00 for Olympian fish & chip restaurant (licenced) Bolton, arriving home circa 21:00. Cost £900. = £30pp, the NSVA will subsidise this trip, so the cost is £10pp for NSVA members or £20pp for guests/non-members, on a first come first served basis. NSVA members get priority,
Saturday 13th August; VJ Parade to form-up 11:50 for 11:58 step-off from Amphlett Hall Crown Close, Bromsgrove, B61 8DW to start service at the Burma Star memorial, Bromsgrove, Service to include act of remembrance and wreath laying ceremony, TBC
Sunday 14th August; The Federation of Birmingham E-Service Associations will hold their annual service including act of remembrance, form-up 10:30 for 11:00 service at Best Western Strathallen hotel, Hagley Road, Birmingham, B16 9RY, service to be conducted by Chaplain Jill Williams, followed by refreshments and entertainment.
Monday 15th August; VJ Day; Victory over Japan Day, Service at the cenotaph, St. Peter’s Square, Wolverhampton, WV1 1DA form-up 10:30 for 11:00 service,
Saturday 3rd September;? Raising the flag; the Merchant Navy Association, Birmingham branch will raise the MN flag to mark Merchant Navy Day at the Council house, form-up 09:20hrs. for 09:50hrs ceremony in Victoria Square, Birmingham, B1 1BB, TBC?
Saturday 10th September; and Sunday 11th September; The 2022 Birmingham International Tattoo has a new venue; the National Exhibition Centre, Resorts World Arena, Perimeter Road, Birmingham, B40 1NT Saturday performance at 6pm. Sunday performance at 2pm. http://www.birminghamtattoo.co.uk
Saturday 17th September; the 1944 Alliance Normandy-Market Garden will hold their annual act of remembrance and wreath laying ceremony (with a small group of members not going to Holland) on this the 78th anniversary of operation “Market Garden” at the MGVA memorial, form-up 11:30 for 12:00 service at the NMA Alrewas, www.thenma.org.uk
Saturday 8th October; Birmingham Air Raids Remembrance Association (BARRA) annual service of remembrance, form-up 10:30 for 11:00 service at St. Martins church in the Bull Ring, Edgbaston Street, Birmingham, B5 5BB after the church service form-up at the “Tree of Life” memorial for wreath laying ceremony, this is the 17th anniversary of the “Tree of Life” memorial erected in the Bull ring, 2005-2022.
Thursday 10th November; Dudley annual Festival of Remembrance, form-up 1900hrs for 1930hrs service and concert at Dudley College of Technology, The Broadway, Dudley DY1 4AS tickets (free to standard bearers),
Thursday 10th November; New Street station act of remembrance and pay homage with wreath laying ceremony by Network rail, form-up 10:15 for 10:45 service. TBC
Friday 11th November; City of Birmingham annual Armistice Day service and parade, form-up 10:30hrs for 10:55hrs service at the Hall of Memory war memorial, Centenary Square, Birmingham, B1 2HF TBC
Saturday 12th November; Annual act of remembrance at the Dutch war graves in Merridale CemeteryJeffcock Road, Bradmore Wolverhampton WV3 7AE. form-up 09:30hrs for 10:00hrs parade and service with military personnel from the Netherlands, TBC
Sunday 13th November; Remembrance Day, Veterans and Standard bearers form-up 10:10 ready for 10:40 march off in Eden place off Victoria Square, Birmingham, B3 3SJ, to march onto Colmore Row for remembrance service outside Cathedral Square, Colmore Row, Birmingham B3 2QB. TBC
Sunday 18th December; FBESA Christmas party, full seasonal fare and entertainment, 12:30 for 13:00 sit down at Best Western Strathallen hotel, Hagley Road, Birmingham, B16 9RY, Dress code; Christmas theme jumpers etc. book through your own association or with John Dolphin, FBESA chairman, 0121 241 3112 or johndolphin48@hotmail.com
Some dates and timings may change or are still to be confirmed, we will keep all associations up to date with any changes plus any cost closer to the relevant time.
Please note any event that is subsidized will only be paid to members of the FBESA, everyone else must pay full price.
If any association wishes to inform the committee of their own events, we will be more than happy to pass the information to other groups, the committee will work hard on your behalf; all we ask for is your support.
Please help at any of these events if you can and pass onto interested colleagues,
This list will be periodically updated as and when the times and places of events are confirmed to me, If you know anything to add to this list or if you know any mistakes let me know so that others know.