Armed Forces Day takes place nationally on Saturday 28 June and the Redoubt Fortress will be hosting a day of events between 10am and 5pm. The day will show support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community, from currently serving troops to service families and from veterans to cadets.
The weekend’s programme includes free entry to the museum, music and a Drumhead Church service. This year’s event will have the added poignancy as it is marking the Centenary of the start of World War One.
Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Tourism and Leisure, Cllr Carolyn Heaps said “Armed Forces Day is a national day celebrating the incredible work from our armed forces and showing support for those connected. The event at the Redoubt is set to do that along with some very interesting activities and we highly recommend going.”
The Redoubt opens at 10am and the event starts with a Drumhead service at 11am. The Drumhead service will consist of a series of readings by Reverend John Kimberley along with a bible reading from the Mayor of Eastbourne. The standard bearers for different services will also be incorporated.
Following on at 12pm, guests can enjoy the Eastbourne Silver Band who will play for an hour and then watch the Cadet Tattoo until 4pm. The Cadet Tattoo will involve a Gun Run, Drill Display and parade.
In addition, visitors can head to the Knit For Victory stall who will be selling their items, with proceeds going to the Redoubt’s Cannon Fund.
The museum will be free entry so visitors can enjoy the new Edmund Blunden exhibition; A Harmless Young Shepherd in a Soldiers Coat. The exhibition shows Blunden’s poetry work from 1915 onwards. From his life in the trenches he also produced one of the best known pieces of war prose, in the book ‘Undertones of War’ that has remained in print ever since being published in 1928.
The Redoubt offers daily building tours as well as a kids museum trail. Please ask at the front desk for details. Visitors can also enjoy tea, cakes and beverages in the Outpost café!
For more information go to www.eastbournemuseums.co.uk