General
Veterans Day was launched in 2006 by the Prime Minister Gordon Brown. The intention is that Veteran's Day, which focuses on our surviving veterans, will complement commemorative events and become as familiar and respected as Remembrance Sunday which, quite properly, remembers and honors those who died serving their country. We recognise that it will take some years for the nation as a whole to take on board the importance of setting aside 27 June as the day on which we celebrate the achievements of the Armed Forces veterans who live and work within our communities, but believe that will only happen if the towns and cities you represent are willing to support this initiative. To achieve this, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) is helping to generate many year on year events across the United Kingdom that promote the Veteran's Day messages. It is envisaged that many of these events will over a period of around 5 years become self-sustaining. The event that, in the opinion of the MOD, best delivers the Veteran's Day messages will be selected each year to be the National Veteran's Day event and will be the focal point for Ministerial presence and support.

Description of Event.
The Andover Branch of the Royal British Legion is to host a Veteran's Day spectacular to be held at Vigo Road Recreational Ground on 22 June 2008 from 10 am to 2 pm. It will consist of marching displays by the band of the Ghurkhas, static vehicle and aircraft displays, a professional Tug of War competition, Fete type activities.

The event finale will be a display by the band whilst building a Drumhead for a service of thanksgiving. A parade consisting of serving and ex servicemen will then be formed up and a march past down East Street where a salute will be taken by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire and Mayor of Test Valley in the Bus Lane opposite George Yard Car Park. The parade will continue to march through the town to Osborne Road where the parade will dismiss.

Details of Event

Organiser is Mr Philip Jones, Ceremonial Officer Royal British Legion.
Numbers expected to attend = 1000 plus
Numbers Marching approx 300 mix of veterans and serving soldiers and children's organizations.
Event is to be held on Public Land.
The Ghurkha Band is a substantial ingredient of the event.
The Tug of War Competition is another substantial ingredient of the event.
The Drumhead service and March past will be a substantial ingredient of the event.
The event is wholly in the open air.

Timings
0945 Ghurkha Band forms up in Bridge Street and has marching display.
0950 Band Marches up High Street to Newbury Street then across roundabout to Vigo Park arriving approx 1000 for opening by Mayor.
1000 Tug of War Competition Starts
1000 Static displays open.
10.30 Interest Displays
12.45 Band Display culminating in erection of pile of drums.
13.15 Church Service
13.45 Parade Forms up
13.50 March Past.

The Following Organizations are being invited to attend:

SSAvn
1 Regt RHA
The Kings Royal Hussars
22 Regt RE
26 Regt RE
1 Mech Brigade HQ & Sig Sqn
12 Mech Bde HQ & Sig Sqn
2 Bn The Royal Welsh
1 Bn The Staffordshire Regt
4 Bn The Rifles
The Lucknow Band
6 Bn REME
10 AEC
HQ DLO
Local TA & ACF Units
Local Associations, RN, RE, Hampshires, REME, RAFA, etc
Other Local British legions, Newbury, Winchester, Reading, Basingstoke, Salisbury etc.
Boys Brigade
Girl Guides
Brownies
Scouts
St John Ambulance
Red Cross
Police
Fire Brigade
Ambulance Service
Salvation Army

Civil Dignitaries from list provided by Sue Barrett.

First Aid is to be provided by
St John Ambulance Brigade

Catering

We are hoping to have three catering outlets on the day along with an Ice Cream Wagon - Details of those selected along with insurance details will be provided before the event. TVBC have agreed to conduct a hygiene inspection on these outlets prior to trading.

Road Closures
We ask TVBC to arrange for Road Closures as follows:

Bridge Street from 0945 to 1000 hrs
High Street from 0950 to 1000 hrs
Newbury Street, Church Close and the Vigo Road Roundabout 0950 - 1000 hrs.
This is to enable the Ghurkha band to proceed from Wilkinsons to the Vigo Park Grounds.

Vigo Park roundabout and East Street from 1345 hrs to 1400 hrs.
Bridge Street from 1350 to 1415 hrs.
Western Road and Junction Road from 1355 to 1415 hrs.

And all roads/junctions appertaining to this route. Map enclosed.

All times approximate.

This is to enable the parade to March along this route in column of route format 3 abreast with marshals to the right hand side.

Note that we will provide stewards at each critical point in easily identifiable, reflective clothing for this purpose.

It is not thought that diversionary signs will be required for this short space of time.
If there are any last minute changes to a route we will ensure that both the Police and the Local Authority are informed and are satisfied that suitable safety measures are in place.

Provision for Disabled

There are no entrance or egress problems that would normally deny entrance by a disabled person.

Parking

Adequate provision for parking is available

Directional signs are requested from the Highways Department directing them to these two car parks.

Parking for event teams are to be provided at ATS and Edmundson Electrical sites. (70 Spaces).
The proposed car parking areas will be indicated on the site plan together with full details of how the parking of the vehicles is to be managed on literature sent out to visitors.

Aerial Activity
A Helicopter has been requested to perform a flypast down East Street over the parade.

Conclusion of Event
We are asking TVBC to ensure that the site is checked for litter and cleaned both during the event, and at the end of the day. All debris must be removed from the site on conclusion of the event.