Royal Navy to parade through Rushden for the first time in town's history

The Royal Navy will parade through Rushden for the first time in the town's history as part of an event to celebrate the work of the Armed Forces.
The Royal Navy is set to parade through Rushden in JuneThe Royal Navy is set to parade through Rushden in June
The Royal Navy is set to parade through Rushden in June

Rushden’s Royal British Legion is organising a series of events on June 17, 18 and 19 in honour of Armed Forces Day.

It will include the Royal Navy parading through the centre of Rushden with Kettering Sea Cadets marching with them and pulling their historic field gun.

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There will also be a fly-past with everyone looking to the skies to see a Spitfire flying over the town.

The parade will go past the War Memorial in RushdenThe parade will go past the War Memorial in Rushden
The parade will go past the War Memorial in Rushden

Maurice Weight, a member of the Royal British Legion, said: “The Royal Navy coming to Rushden is a big event because it’s the first time it has happened.

“This is Rushden’s celebration of the Armed Forces.

“We hold it every year and this year we are hoping to split it into three parts.”

Poppies will be planted on the Friday and then Saturday starts with the honour walk at 9am.

The parade will go past the War Memorial in RushdenThe parade will go past the War Memorial in Rushden
The parade will go past the War Memorial in Rushden
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The parade will take place on Saturday lunchtime and start in John Street behind Alfred Street Junior School before going past Orbit Tyres in Skinner’s Hill and on to the War Memorial.

Those parading will then make their way along the High Street before ending up at the train station.

A dais will be set up at the home of Rushden Historical Transport Society for VIP guests, including the Lord Lieutenant of Northamptonshire

Re-enactment groups and their vehicles as well as members of the Northants Home Guard will be involved in the event, and it is hoped that the Chelsea Pensioners who attended last year’s event will also be able to return.

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A number of military stalls will be set up at the train station, and a service of remembrance will be taking place on the Sunday.

Armed Forces Day, which is marked nationally, is on Saturday, June 25, but the Rushden event is usually held the week before as it is this year.

For more information about the event, go to www.afdrushden.com or search for Armed Forces Day Rushden on Facebook.