The Armed Forces Day flag is now proudly flying in Barrow, Kendal and Penrith, marking the start of Armed Forces Week 2026 (22–27 June).
Armed Forces Week is an opportunity for communities across the country to recognise, celebrate and give thanks to the Armed Forces community, from currently serving personnel and their families to veterans and cadets.
The week includes Cadet Forces Day on Tuesday 23 June, Reserves Day on Wednesday 24 June and culminates with Armed Forces Day on Saturday 27 June.
In Barrow, the flag was raised on Saturday (20 June) at the town hall, following a military parade. The event was attended by Deputy Lieutenant Cdr Phil Burns MBE; the Mayor of Barrow, Cllr Kay Hyland, accompanied by consort Mr Kevin Hyland; Westmorland and Furness Council’s Armed Forces Champion for Furness, Cllr Bill McEwan; the council’s representative to the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Associations (RFCA), Cllr Ben Shirley; and mace-bearer Jake Lake.
In Kendal, the flag was raised above the town hall today (22 June) during a ceremony accompanied by a bugle fanfare performed by Sqn Ldr Michael Parker MCGI of RAF Spadeadam. Those in attendance included Deputy Lieutenant Sam Rayner CBE; the Mayor of Kendal, Cllr Helen Ladhams; the Chairman of Westmorland and Furness Council, Cllr Doug Rathbone; Chief Executive Miranda Cannon; Director of Children’s Services Milorad Vasic; as well as local veterans and representatives from One Vision Uniformed Services CIC.
The flag was also raised today (22 June) in Penrith outside Voreda House during a ceremony attended by the Mayor of Penrith, Cllr Valerie Bowen; Westmorland and Furness Council’s Deputy Chair, Cllr Mark Rudhall; Armed Forces Champion for Eden, Cllr Michael Eyles; Cabinet Member for Adult Care, Cllr Patricia Bell; Chief Legal and Monitoring Officer and Armed Forces Lead Officer, Linda Jones; Chair of the Penrith branch of the Royal British Legion, Kerryanne Wilde; as well as local veterans and cadets.
Westmorland and Furness Council is hosting a special ‘Meet the Chairman’ event to mark Cadet Forces Day tomorrow (Tuesday 23 June), from 4.30pm to 6.00pm at Kendal Town Hall (Town Council Chamber).
Cadets and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers are invited to attend and meet the Chairman, Cllr Doug Rathbone, as part of the celebrations recognising the valuable contribution of the Cadet Forces.
Those wishing to attend are asked to confirm their attendance by emailing Cat.Brumwell@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk and Catherine.Gainor@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk.
Westmorland and Furness Council is proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, reaffirming its commitment to ensuring those who serve or have served, and their families, are treated fairly and not disadvantaged by their service.
The council has also recently achieved revalidation of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award, the highest honour for employers demonstrating outstanding support for veterans, reservists, Cadet Force Adult Volunteers and military families.
This commitment is reflected in a range of practical support, including a guaranteed interview scheme for Armed Forces personnel and veterans who meet the essential criteria for council vacancies, as well as additional paid leave for staff who are reservists or Cadet Force Adult Volunteers to attend annual training camps and fulfil defence-related commitments.
The council is also working with partners to pilot a scheme to improve access to specialist healthcare for Armed Forces personnel and their families, alongside delivering council-wide staff training to build greater understanding of Armed Forces needs across services.
Cllr Vicky Hughes, Westmorland and Furness Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning, Active Wellbeing and the Armed Forces, said: “Armed Forces Week is an important opportunity to recognise and thank those who serve, and have served, in our Armed Forces, as well as their families.
“We are proud to show our support across Westmorland and Furness and to stand alongside our Armed Forces community. From flying the flag to the practical support we provide as a council, we are committed to ensuring they are recognised, valued and supported.”
For more information about Armed Forces Week and events taking place across the country, visit the official Armed Forces Day website.
To find out more about the council’s support for the Armed Forces community, visit westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk and search for 'armed forces' or email armedforces@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk.