Events across the county are being held to recognise and celebrate the dedication, sacrifice and service of those who have served and continue to serve in our Armed Forces.
On Monday there was a flag-raising ceremony at Cheshire Police Headquarters in Winsford, Northwich Town Council offices on Church Road and in Chester, The Armed Forces Day flag was raised in the afternoon. In Cheshire East there were flag-raising events at Bentley Motors in Crewe, Congleton, Crewe Memorial Square and Macclesfield Town Hall, with refreshments hosted by Armed Forces HQ, who were also on hand to offer guidance and support to members of the veteran community.
Reserves Day will be held on Wednesday 24 June, highlighting a range of practical support available locally for the Armed Forces community.
On Saturday #ArmedForcesDay many of Chester’s landmarks will be lit in red, white and blue. Serving military personnel, reservists, veterans and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers can also travel free on Chester’s Park and Ride service when accompanied by a fare-paying passenger, making it easier to attend events across the city.
Cheshire West and Chester Council was awarded the prestigious Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award in 2023 recognising its ongoing commitment to the values of the Armed Forces Covenant and the positive role that the Council has played in pledging, demonstrating and advocating support to defence and the Armed Forces Community.
Brio Leisure offers discounted Work Fit memberships for veterans, complimentary off-peak memberships for serving personnel and reservists, and free membership for one year for those medically discharged (terms and conditions apply), helping individuals to stay active and support their wellbeing.
To access these offers, serving personnel will be asked to show their military ID card, while other eligible individuals can present either a Defence Privilege Card or an HM Armed Forces Veterans Card.
The Council also continues to work in partnership with the Armed Forces Community Support Charity, funding regular NAAFI Break drop-in sessions at Ellesmere Port Reserves Centre, Dale Barracks in Chester and Winsford Library. These sessions provide a welcoming space for veterans and their families, helping to reduce isolation and offering one-to-one support for a range of personal challenges.
The statistics above come from research commissioned by SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity. The research, released to mark #ArmedForcesDay 2026, highlights the stark sacrifices that our Armed Forces personnel must make in order to serve King and country.