Residents rally around community to save local town’s Armed Forces Day

Earlier this month, organisers issued an urgent appeal for people to take on key roles, including chairman, deputy chairman, secretary and treasurer.

They said that the popular seaside town event could not continue without a new committee.

The prospect of losing one of Lowestoft’s largest community gatherings prompted an outpouring of support from across the town.

Military personnel, veterans, and civilians alike came forward in large numbers, prompting organisers to declare this week that they were “overwhelmed” by the response.

The event has endured a turbulent few years, with a forced three-year absence after the 2019 edition was cancelled and the Covid-19 pandemic followed.

Armed Forces Day returned to Royal Green in 2022 and 2023, drawing thousands of visitors with military displays, a static Spitfire and live entertainment.

However, persistent difficulties in recruiting enough volunteers and securing funding forced organisers to shelve both the 2024 and 2025 celebrations.

The day finally returned in June this year at Sparrow’s Nest Gardens, running from 10am to 8pm on 27 June with live music, military stalls, and a commemorative service.

Organisers hailed it “an incredible success,” with Lowestoft Town Council serving as the main sponsor.

Yet behind the scenes, repeated appeals for new volunteers throughout the year had gone unanswered.

This week, the committee expressed its gratitude in a statement: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the response from serving members of the Armed Forces, veterans and civilians who share a passion for keeping Lowestoft Armed Forces Day going in 2027 and beyond.”

“Thank you to everyone who has come forward to offer their time, ideas and support. It means a great deal,” the organisers added.

To build on the momentum, an open evening is scheduled for November 17 at the Kitchener’s Centre on Kirkley Cliff, starting at 6.30pm.

The gathering will give prospective volunteers the chance to meet existing organisers and discuss how they can contribute.

“We look forward to meeting familiar faces and welcoming new ones,” the committee said.

“Alongside filling committee roles, we want to build a wider team of volunteers who can work together to keep this much-loved event going and show our community’s continued support for the Armed Forces.”