SOUTH Lakeland District Council (SLDC) is flying the flag this week to support Armed Forces Day.

The council held a ceremony today to hoist a specially commissioned Armed Forces Day flag above Kendal Town Hall to celebrate the essential role of the armed forces, both past and present.

Chairman of the Council Cllr Sylvia Emmott and army Captain Steve Firth raised the flag at 11.30am.

They were joined for the ceremony by armed forces representatives Dave Horseman of the Royal British Legion, Neil Allison of the Sea Cadets and representatives from Queen Katherine and Kirkbie Kendal schools, as well as SLDC Chief Executive Lawrence Conway.

Two Sea Cadet buglers played ‘The Last Post’ and ‘Reveille’ while the flag was raised. The flag will fly above the town hall until after Armed Forces Day on Saturday, June 25.

This is the seventh Armed Forces Day, an annual event that raises public awareness of the contribution made to the country by those who serve and have served in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces.

It also gives the nation an opportunity to show support for the men and women who make up the armed forces community, from currently serving troops to service families and veterans to cadets.

Cllr Emmott said: “This is a good opportunity for the council and the South Lakeland community to express support and build partnerships with various local branches of the armed forces represented at this flag-raising event.

“This marks the start of a week of local and national events. I hope everyone can take part and continue to share common goals of living together in peace supported by the forces.

“I would also like to thank all branches of the armed forces for their hard work and effort in keeping us safe.”

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the First World War, 35 students from Queen Katherine School will be travelling to France in July where they will visit the battleground sites of the Battle of the Somme.

The pupils will be walking the same routes troops did a century before and have even traced two soldiers from Kendal who made the journey.

On Armed Forces Day itself there will be a wide range of community-led events taking place in towns and cities around the country.

For more information on the celebrations taking place, and how you can take part, visit www.armedforcesday.org.uk/