Councillors back return of Armed Forces Day event

Lincoln has close links to the armed forces and has regularly hosted military parades in the city centre

A full Armed Forces Day event could return to Lincoln, the city council has said.

Councillors of all parties expressed their support for the event at a meeting on Tuesday to recognise serving members and veterans.

A Conservative proposal to allocate a budget of £15,000 towards exploring the scheme was rejected, but the council's leadership said it wanted to plan the event properly.

Lincoln's previous Armed Forces Day event was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic and has not been held since.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, councillors will meet with the organisers of the annual event in Cleethorpes, which is one of the largest in the country.

Council leader Naomi Tweddle, who represents Labour, said: "These are exceptionally dangerous, worrying times.

"There are not many people in Lincoln not touched by the RAF or other armed forces in some way."

She said she could not support the Conservative budget proposal because "it doesn't have partnership support in its current space".

However, she added: "If we are going to do it, we will do it properly. Watch this space."

'Proud tradition'

The nation's Armed Forces Day takes place on the last Saturday each June.

During the debate, concerns were raised over recent developments surrounding the war in Ukraine.

Conservative councillor Hilton Spratt said: "We have a proud tradition of supporting the three armed forces, and it is particularly important at the moment.

"I hope to God that men and women will not be called upon to defend Britain and Europe in conflict on the mainland."

Councillor Chris Burke, who will help lead cross-party work on an event, said: "We were already working with veteran communities before recent worrying events.

"We would have liked a first-class day this year, but unfortunately started too late."

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