A special celebration lunch to mark Armed Forces Day is being hosted by South Kesteven District Council.
The free lunch is at the Bourne Corn Exchange on Saturday 27th June, and is open to anyone living in the district who has served in any branch of the Armed Forces – and a guest.
As well as lunch, those attending will hear about the district’s very special Airborne forces heritage.
The council’s National Lottery Heritage Funded ‘Soldiers From The Sky’ project reflected the role played by Grimsthorpe Castle, 1st Battalion The Parachute Regiment HQ in the 1944 build up to Operation Market Garden.
Bourne itself had numerous troops staying in town centre locations with many more under canvas in Grimsthorpe Castle’s parkland, fresh from fighting in North Africa and before leaving for Arnhem.
Other after-lunch speakers will highlight the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s enduring role and how RAF Cranwell celebrates its own history.
It’s the first time that SKDC has hosted a Veterans Lunch, reflecting the high numbers of ex-forces living in the district.
Latest census statistics confirmed 8,693 veterans across RAF, Navy and the Army – 7.4% of the adult population of the district.
SKDC Armed Forces Champion Cllr Bridget Ley said: “We are delighted to be celebrating Armed Forces Day with the very people we have committed to support; those who have served our country.
“Armed Forces Day is a special date in the calendar to mark our national debt to those who have served and are still serving.”
This is a free event but attendees will need to book on Eventbrite https://bit.ly/skdc-armed-forces-lunch
Armed Forces Day Veterans Lunch
27 June. 12.30 for 1pm
Bourne Corn Exchange, Abbey Rd, Bourne PE10 9EF
