Although I have now lived in Cornwall for many years, along
with my Cornish husband and daughter, I was born and grew up in Scarborough, a
coastal community in the north of England that actually shares many
similarities and characteristics with similar places in our Duchy.
Next year, I was pleased to find out at the weekend,
Falmouth will have another similarity with Scarborough, that they will have
hosted the national Armed Forces Day event in back to back years!
This past week has seen the UK mark Armed Forces Week, a week, which celebrates the service of
military personnel, their families and veterans. Armed Forces Week culminates
in the National Armed Forces Day. This year, on this past Saturday, Scarborough
hosted it, and we were delighted to find out on the same day that Cornwall,
with Falmouth as the host town, will be hosting this national event in 2023.
Cornwall’s ambition is to
make the National Armed Forces Day event 2023 a unique celebration of our armed
forces past, present and future - with a programme which both celebrates and
builds public support for our armed forces and provides a lasting legacy for
the future.
Cornwall continues to be a
stronghold for the military and is vitally important to the Ministry of Defence
(MOD). The Port of Falmouth is the third deepest natural port in the world and
the Navy plays a huge part in the day-to-day life in Falmouth, particularly
contributing to its strong military history.
While the event will be
celebrated across the County, the themes of the bid focus on:
• Youth engagement – The ability to inspire our younger
generation to a future career in the armed forces or an associated defence
industry.
• Veteran re-engagement – Many veterans in Cornwall can feel
disengaged and isolated from their former careers and comrades, it is hoped to
bring these veterans back into the community and offer support and employment
opportunities
• Commercial showcasing – Cornwall is an extremely
attractive proposal to many companies who traditionally operate in the defence
space, and this event will showcase everything that we have to offer.
I have worked closely with
Cornwall Council as they have planned their bid, and congratulate Cllr Louis
Gardner and his team for putting together an excellent submission.
I have also made the case
direct to Ministerial colleagues, including the Secretary of State for Defence,
Ben Wallace MP, who I welcomed to Falmouth, so he could see first-hand exactly
what we have to offer.
Cornwall has a proud
military tradition, with strong and enduring links to our armed forces. I look
forward to working with all concerned to make UK Armed Forces Day 2023 a
memorable occasion, and that Falmouth shines as the host of a major event for
our country.
As ever, if you need my assistance with anything then my
team and I are here to help. Please get in touch with me by email at
Cherilyn.mackrory.mp@parliament.uk , or by telephone on 01872 229698. My
regular constituency advice surgeries are held in a covid-safe environment at
my office, so please do get in touch should you wish to meet me about any
matters that I can be of assistance with.
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