The Armed Forces Day flag was raised at the Town Hall this morning to pledge the borough's support for the British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. With just five days to go, the flag has been raised at the beginning of a week of celebrations ahead of Armed Forces Day which this year is on Saturday 30 June (held on the last Saturday of June each year). 

The ceremony at the Town Hall was attended by representatives from a number of organisations, including the Rugby and District branch of the Royal Air Force Association, the 89 (Warwickshire) Signal Squadron Association and the Royal British Legion. Other guests included the Mayor of Rugby, Mark Pawsey MP, Borough Councillors, Cadets and veterans.

A minute's silence in memory of those who have fallen in battle was held before the flag was raised.

For more on events across the country see: www.armedforcesday.org.uk/

Photo: Newly elected Borough Councillors Andrew Bearne and Ian Picker attended the event for the first time.  Andrew commented that after the event he had the chance to chat to a retired Royal Naval serviceman who had served in all parts of the world, from the cold Arctic to the much warmer south Pacific - and most places in between!  Andrew said, 'It was a pleasure and an education, to be able to talk and engage with such respected people.'