Somerset Armed Forces Day started in 2019 here in Vivary Park, Taunton. Aimed at being a free fun day out to celebrate and support all our members of the Armed Forces Community at home and across the world wherever they may be serving. Run by a crack team of volunteers, mostly veterans themselves, they set about making it a fantastic day.

Each year the celebration has grown and last year saw visitors more than thirty thousand visiting Vivary Park to enjoy the day’s free activities. There are stalls aplenty, food outlets and bars for you to enjoy something to eat and drink while you watch the shows in the main arena during the day. There are plenty of places to sit and picnic in the park too.

Traders and visitors from across the county are here, to show their support for our combined Armed Forces. Cadets and representatives from all our services enjoy a parade and work as helpers on the day, marshalling and looking after the visitors. It is a chance to give back and boost the morale of all our service personnel. To recognise the work they do, applaud their dedication and in many cases, their personal sacrifices to protect and serve the United Kingdom in this unique profession. The UK Armed Forces defend the UK and its interests. They are busy working around the world, promoting peace, delivering aid, tackling drug smugglers, providing security, and fighting terrorism.

Veterans, Reservists, Cadets, and Service Families all get a much-needed boost too. A veteran is anyone who has served in the HM Armed Forces at any time (including National Servicemen, Regulars and Reserves). Armed Forces Day celebrates their continued role within the military community. Reservists give up their spare time to serve in the Reserve Forces, balancing their civilian life with a military career to ensure that should their country require them, they would be ready to serve. The Cadet Forces (Sea Cadets, Army Cadets, Air Cadets, and the Combined Cadet Force) currently support over 130,000 young people in more than 3,000 locations across the UK. Cadets learn life and career building skills as well as gaining vocational qualifications. Our Armed Forces could not do their job without the incredible support of their family and friends either.

You can find out more about what they are doing at home and around the world by visiting the official sites of the Royal Navy, British Army, and the Royal Air Force.

Come to Vivary Park on Saturday 6^th July 2024, show your support in person, and enjoy the day, this year’s event promises to be the biggest yet! See the website and social media pages for all the latest information on who will be appearing this year.