Sheffield's Armed Forces Day celebrations scaled back due to Covid restrictions

The city usually marks the day on the last Saturday of June, but this year there will be a ceremony held on July 3.

“We’ll be marking Armed Forces Day with a scaled back ceremony this year due to the Covid restrictions,” said a city council spokesperson.

“It will be on Saturday 3rd July in the Peace Gardens for veterans and members of the Armed Forces who wish to attend.

“The Armed Forces flag will also be flown at the Town Hall.”

The national event envelops the whole of the Armed Forces past and present as well as their families.

The celebrations were conceived in 2006 by then-Chancellor Gordon Brown, who wanted to ensure that the contribution of ex and current service men and women, and their families was recognised.

Ceremonies and events taking place all over the country on Armed Forces day focuses more on celebrating living, current /ex servicemen and women, rather than Remembrance Day ceremonies which focus on honouring the dead.

Over the past year the Armed Forces have supported the NHS and local authorities across the country to battle the Covid-19 pandemic by helping to build vaccine sites, supporting community testing and providing clinical support to the health service.

Armed Forces Day also celebrates the Cadets Forces, Sea Army and Air Force Cadets – numbering around 130,000 young people throughout the UK.