Armed Forces Day is returning to Himley Hall and Park next week.

The free event, run by Dudley Council will take place on Sunday 29 June in the grounds of Himley Hall and Park.

The event runs from 11am to 4pm and will include a display by the West Midlands Police dog team, free vintage dance taster lessons from Time to Swing Dance, a craft and vintage fair, funfair rides, street food, vintage tearoom and much more.

In the hall there will be displays by Dudley Museum and Dudley Archives of WWII artifacts and the Brook Robinson Collection will be open on the first floor.

Out in the park there will be military displays as well as historical exhibitions recognising all conflicts and displays covering British wartime history from the Viking era through to WWII.

The highlight of the day will be the reaffirmation of the honour of Freedom of the Borough to B (SWWY) Squadron, the Royal Yeomanry by the Mayor of Dudley.

People are also being urged to come forward to register their interest to be presented with their veterans badge, so they can be added to the running order for the day.

Councillor Pete Lee, Mayor of Dudley, said:

“Armed Forces Day is one of the highlights of the Mayoral year and is a hugely entertaining, free, family friendly day out too with lots to see and do.

“I am delighted that as the Mayor of Dudley I will have the honour of reaffirming Freedom of the Borough to B Squadron, who are based in Dudley town centre, and have always been incredibly supportive of this event.

Major Jonathon Astley, B (SWWY) Squadron, said:

“We are delighted that The Royal Yeomanry is being acknowledged by the borough and awarded this highest of honours.

“The squadron was first awarded the title back in 2010 under our former regimental name of The Royal Mercian and Lancastrian Yeomanry, so it is wonderful for it to be represented to us as The Royal Yeomanry which we have been since 2014.”

Car parking will be charged at the reduced rate of £3.50 for the day of the event.

Veterans who wish to take part in the presentation need to have applied for and received their badge before contacting Dudley Council in order to have them presented on the day. 

Anyone who has already received one of the badges but has not had it formally presented to them before can contact Dudley Council by emailing capa.admin@dudley.gov.uk or by calling 01384 818186 to participate in the ceremony.