Battle of Britain Memorial Flight to feature in Borough's Armed Forces Day celebrations

Visitors to this year's Armed Forces Day in Stockton are set to experience a packed programme of events set in the new Stockton Waterfront urban park. 

Armed Forces Day: A Community Celebration will be the Borough's first event to be celebrated in the new urban park when visitors are welcomed on Saturday 20 June - it will stage a spectacular programme of events and community celebrations honouring our armed forces, past, present and future. 

The much-loved annual event will be enhanced this year with special activities in the urban park for all the family to enjoy, including a showcase of military vehicles and a fun fair on the riverside with a 22-metre-high Ferris Wheel. 

As part of this programme, Stockton has been chosen as a location to host to a ceremonial flypast by the famous RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. 

Armed Forces Day recognises the work that members of the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force, as well as veterans, cadets and armed forces families all play in keeping the UK safe, at home and abroad. 

The new spaces in the urban park including Finkle Square, The Oval Lawn and the area near to the riverside will be buzzing with traditional wartime musical performances, exhibitions and demonstrations and an open-air thanksgiving service in the new Amphitheatre. 

Armed Forces Day kicks off a packed events programme in Stockton-on-Tees this year and will showcase the scale and ambition of what the waterfront and its spaces will offer residents, visitors and businesses. 

The urban park opens up Stockton High Street, connecting it to the River Tees through a land bridge structure, spanning Riverside Road and providing uninterrupted access to the riverside. 

As well as flexible events spaces, the park also includes three large-scale play areas for families and children and beautiful gardens, offering relaxing and quiet spaces for walking and reflection. 

This marks the completion of a five-year journey of transformation in Stockton Town Centre, following the demolition of Castlegate Shopping Centre and the Swallow Hotel, which took place from 2022. 

Councillor Lisa Evans, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council Leader and the Borough's Armed Forces Champion, said: "Armed Forces Day is a great opportunity for the people of the Borough to join us in honouring all the brave men and women currently serving our country.  

"It's vitally important that we never forget the selfless commitment, endeavour and sacrifice of our Armed Forces to keep us safe at home and abroad. Showing your support provides a much-valued morale boost for military personnel and their families. 

"This year's event in Stockton is set to be extremely popular. We're expecting thousands of people to head to the town for this a vibrant, community outdoor celebration. I am also looking forward to seeing our fantastic local businesses benefit from this occasion and the wider economic benefits that the urban park and events like this will bring to the town centre. 

"Stockton Waterfront urban park will be a place for the whole community and a space for them to make their own, I truly can't think of a better event to launch this fantastic new space, so make sure to come along!"  

Here's everything to enjoy on Armed Forces Day and where! 

The Oval Lawn 

• 'You and I' - a very special display of clay sculptures by over 1,000 school children from across the Borough. Made in collaboration with artist Mackenzie Thorpe, this display is over a year in the making and highlights the connection between the urban park and the next generation of residents
• The Community Art Wall - a huge 64-metre Community Art Wall including results of a community illustration and creative writing competition, with connections to the urban park
• exhibitors and workshop leaders from the armed forces including the Royal British Legion, Royal Air Force Association and Air Cadets will join the celebrations, overlooking the Oval Lawn. There will also be a range of traditional military vehicles will be on display

Finkle Square 

• a vibrant space to gather and relax with a marquee on the square
• food and drink concessions will be available to purchase tasty treats from local food and beverage concessions
• dance sessions, ranging from 1940s style to swing, for everyone to join in and celebrate

Finkle Garden 

• creative writing workshops throughout the day with local writers set in the intimate space of Finkle Gardens
• free accessible workshops for all ages focusing on wellbeing and reflection
• 'Lines of Strength' - Reflective writing from female-inspired charity 'Salute Her', with poet Carmen Marcus
• 'Build and Belong' - A men's wellbeing connection workshop inspired by Andy's Man Club, with artist Bob Beagrie

Main Play Area - Timber Towers 

• come and try out the exciting new feature play area! This area will also include interactive play, adventure walks, street theatre and performances - a space for families to gather, have fun and be entertained 

Amphitheatre 

• The Armed Forces Day thanksgiving service will take place in a large stage area, followed by a speech from the Vice Lieutenant of County Durham, Mr Michael Poole and an official welcome to the urban park
• a high-energy stage programme of entertainment will feature everything from traditional brass bands to community choirs and stand-out professional acts
• renowned Thornaby folk band Cattle and Cane will also premiere 'Our Place' - a bespoke composition musical piece and performance, created with six local schools. School children and community singers will join them on stage for an unforgettable, celebratory performance
• drill exhibitions and displays from the cadet forces

Area near to the riverside 

• there will also be a large fun fair on the grass performance space, including a huge Ferris Wheel overlooking the riverside, near to the Riverside car park

Air Display  

• the dramatic ceremonial flypast of the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight to commemorate the event - be sure not to miss it! 

There's plenty more for families to enjoy on Sunday 21 June, with a continuation of all the fun in Finkle Square, including the large marquee with community activities and pop-up performances and buskers. 

Events and activities will take place showcasing how the park can be used by community groups in the future, such as walking groups, workshops and dog-friendly events. 

The People's Wall will also continue to be on display where visitors can be inspired by local artists and the history of the site, add their own contributions and share their stories onto the wall.