Armed Forces Week

The Committee is supportive of many Service and ex Service events and, in recent years has had a massive input towards the successful annual celebration of Veterans Week, now renamed National Armed Forces Week, and many months of planning and work is undertaken towards that end. Blackpool was chosen to host the National Veterans Week event in 2008, a duty it performed most admirably.                For many years it has been considered to be the core of ex-service activity in our area, with many associations from throughout the country having their annual reunions in the town.             In consequence, Blackpool is now considered to be the ex-service flagship of the North-West and is the centre of many such celebrations.

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                     Sadly, we have to report the untimely passing of our Vice Chairman, Cllr Jim Houldsworth.          Jim slipped quietly and painlessly away at 09.30hrs on the 3rd March 2012 at the Hospice, with his family around him.

As a Ward Councillor, his achievements were legion; but not least was his dedicated work, right to the end, for the ex-service community.                                   After serving as a Major in the Royal Artillery and acting as their representative for the Fylde Ex-Service Liaison Committee, he became our highly respected Vice Chairman. He was a Trustee at B.L.E.S.M.A. and was a driving force in the 'Armed Forces Week' Steering Group. He also helped to establish the 'Fylde Memorial Arboretum' as well as 'Supporting our Brave', the community interest company in Bank Hey Street.

In recognition of his service to Blackpool he had been presented with the Blackpool Medal and had received a personal letter from the Prime Minister, David Cameron.

These, along with countless more of his wonderful achievements, mean that he will be sorely missed by all the people of Blackpool and the ex-service community in particular.

                                         During the annual Service at the Fylde Memorial Arboretum in Bispham, on Friday the 29th of June 2012, he will be remembered by the naming of a newly developed area as the 'JIM HOULDSWORTH BOWER'.

WE WILL REMEMBER HIM

ARMED FORCES WEEK 2012 - EVENTS

tbc	Blackpool Cenotaph Illuminated Tribute. Promenade.        Providing a unique tribute to our Forces, both past present and future. A respectful programme of moving and static images that will be projected onto the full height of Blackpool's Grade 2 listed War Memorial.	From dusk - app. 9:45 pm. adjacent to North Pier.
Mon25June	Armed Forces Day Flag Raising Ceremony. Blackpool Tower.                                                Blackpool joins the nation in this countrywide tribute.	Blackpool Town Hall. 10 - 10.30 am
Mon 25 June	Music for Heroes. Opera House, Church Street.              Blackpool says thank you to the Armed Forces past and present, with this free Musical extravaganza.	Free. 7.30 pm.
Mon 25 - Fri 29 June	Going to the Flicks. Odeon Film Centre, Rigby Road.      A special wartime cinema experience, especially for primary aged school children, depicting lives of children in the UK during the Second World War and the 30th anniversary of the Falklands Conflict.	Blackpool Primary School Children. Invitation only.
Wed 27 June	Afternoon Tea Dance. Blackpool Tower Ballroom.          World renowned resident organists will play the Mighty Wurlitzer.  Admission includes: Tea Dance and afternoon tea.
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Thurs 28 June	Armed Forces and Veterans Dine Out for Free.  Buccaneer Family Bar, Coral Island, Promenade, Blackpool.
Thurs 28 June	Miss Blackpool - Heat 1.    Members of the Armed Forces judge the first heat of the annual competition. Who will be the Forces Sweetheart ?	Uncle Tom's Cabin, Queens Promenade 8.30 pm.
Fri 29 June	Fylde Memorial Arboretum. Service of Dedication for memorial plaques and the 'Jim Houldsworth Bower'.	Moor Park Avenue, Bispham. 11 am.
Fri 29 June	Armed Forces Week Gala Dinner. Norbreck Castle Hotel, Queens Promenade.          Members of the Armed Forces, Veterans, families, friends and supporters are invited to enjoy a five-course meal followed by entertainment from a top-class cabaret line up.  Dress code: Lounge suits, blazers or black tie. Medals may be worn.	Tickets: £17.95.                                   Bookings:Tel.01253 352341                              Reception 7 pm.                                                          Dinner Served 7.30 pm.  Carriages Midnight
Sat 30 June	National Armed Forces Day.     Town Centre.  Entertainment to be confirmed.	10 am. - 4pm.                                                               Winter Gardens if the weather is inclement.
Sat 30 June	Armed Forces Day Gala Night in the Blackpool Tower Ballroom.	7.30 pm.
Sun 1 July	Sunday Morning Service. Blackpool Cenotaph.                       Blackpool joins together to celebrate, Honour and Unite, Britain's Armed Forces, Past, Present and Future.	11 am. (Assembly from 10.30 am)
Sun 1 July	Armed Forces and Veterans Parade.                         Cenotaph, Promenade.                                                                           Following the Sunday morning Service, Blackpool invites members of the Armed Forces, Veterans and Cadets  to join in the short parade along the Promenade.  The general public are invited to cheer and wave their Union Flags.	11.30 am. approx.
tbc	Blackpool Taxi Pull.            Blackpool Taxi Drivers will team up to pull their cabs along the Promenade in aid of Forces Charities.