< Gliding Bug Bites

New Appointment >

< Back to News Archive



2nd Jul 2013

Raising The Flag

A Bedford Air Cadet helped Central Bedfordshire Council pay tribute to our service men and women on Monday, 24 June, by raising an Armed Forces flag, ahead of Armed Forces Day on 29 June 2013.

Keith Mayhew - photographer (Biggleswade)
Front Row (Left to right): Cllr Mark Versallion, Richard Carr, Chief Executive, Helen Nellis, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire and Deborah Inskip, High Sheriff of Bedfordshire, Cllr David Bowater, Vice Chairman and Cllr James Jamieson, Leader
Back Row (Left to right); - All Lord-Lieutenant’s cadets (in uniform): Jonathon Bell, Emma Harwood and William Hunt.

The ceremony, which was held at Priory House, Chicksands was attended by HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Helen Nellis and the High Sheriff of Bedfordshire, Deborah Inskip, and by Cllr David Bowater, Vice Chairman of the Council.

Specially invited personnel from local armed forces, reserve and cadet forces and members of armed forces support organisations were present at the event, together with Councillors and staff. 13 standard bearers also supported the event. The flag was raised this year by 3 of the Lord-Lieutenant’s cadets which included Cadet Warrant Officer Jonathon Bell from 134 (Bedford) Squadron.

Councillor James Jamieson, Leader of Central Bedfordshire Council said "It was a great honour to again hold this ceremony at the Central Bedfordshire Council offices and show our support for the tremendous work carried out by our armed forces and the voluntary organisations who look after serving and former armed forces personnel and their families".

The Lord-Lieutenant, Helen Nellis said after the ceremony "I was delighted to be present on this important occasion to see three of my Cadets, Jonathon Bell, Emma Harwood and William Hunt, jointly raise the Armed Forces Day flag.

This was a public way of showing our support for our service personnel from across the communities within Bedfordshire and to acknowledge the magnificent support given by voluntary organisations across the county”.