Charnwood Borough Council - Leading in Leicestershire

PEOPLE from Charnwood who have served their country are to be honoured during a special presentation at Loughborough Town Hall.

The Mayor of Charnwood, Cllr Stephen Campbell, will present 39 ex-Armed Forces personnel with Veterans Badges on Saturday, August 16.

It is the first of two presentations taking place to honour veterans living in the Borough and among the recipients will be Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Mr Terry Higgins OBE JP DL.

The Veterans, who will be entertained by the Salvation Army band before and after the ceremony, will also enjoy afternoon tea,

Youngsters from Loughborough’s Sea, Army and Air Training Corp cadets will be attending to direct invited guests to the Town Hall’s Victoria Rooms.

Cllr Campbell said “It will be an honour to present these veterans with their badges.

“Anybody who has ever served in our Armed Forces is a veteran. They leave the armed forces and bring some amazing skills into our community in their civilian jobs.

“We should all recognise that these are people who have shown a tremendous commitment to serve both nationally and locally.

"I have been overwhelmed by the number of applications for badges in Charnwood. So many veterans have asked to be presented with their badge that we have had to arrange two separate ceremonies at the Town Hall.

“I will also be making several visits to present badges at home to veterans who are unable to travel to the Town Hall.”

More than half a million Veterans Badges have been handed out to ex-servicemen and women across the country and anyone who has served in the Armed Forces, irrespective of time or conditions, may apply.

It is not too late to nominate someone for a Veterans Badge as a second presentation will be taking place on Saturday, September 20.

Simply send in their name, age, address, national service number and details of their Armed Forces service history to Veterans Badge, The Office of Mayor, Charnwood Borough Council, Southfield Road, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 2TX.

Further details are also available by calling (01509) 634 602, emailing mayor@charnwood.gov.uk or logging on to http://www.charnwood.gov.ukpages/veterans