On Saturday 18 June, Torbay pays tribute to its British Armed Forces community.

Torbay Armed Forces Day returns to Babbacombe Downs in Torquay for the first time since 2019.

The event starts with a parade leaving the Model Village car park at 11am. The parade will head along Higher Downs Road, then onto Babbacombe Downs Road.

Babbacombe Downs will be packed with activities, and entertainment supporting various military charities, including military displays, music, plus food and drink stalls.

Organised by the Veterans of Torbay (Torbay Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club), Armed Forces Day is a chance for you to show your support and recognise the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community; from currently serving troops to service families, veterans, and cadets.

To show support for Armed Forces Day events, we will be raising the Armed Forces Day Flag at Torquay Town Hall on Friday 17 June where it will remain in place until after national Armed Forces Day on Saturday 25 June. In addition, the festoon lighting along Torquay and Paignton’s seafronts will be turned red, white, and blue from this weekend until next weekend.  

Cllr Nicole Amil, Armed Forces Member Champion for Torbay Council, said; “It’s wonderful that we can bring our local Armed Forces Day event back to Babbacombe Downs, after having to celebrate our Armed Forces community virtually for the last couple of years.

“Armed Forces Day provides a much-valued morale boost for the people working around the world promoting peace, delivering aid, tackling drug smugglers, providing security, and fighting terrorism.

“I would like to say a personal thank-you to our Armed Forces after what has been an incredibly challenging couple of years, and I would encourage you to head along to Babbacombe Downs on Saturday to show your support.”

Torbay Armed Forces Day event programme:

10am – 11am              Military Music

11am                          Parade leaves Model Village car park

12pm                          Spires College Band

12.50pm                     Sandy Sparkle

1.30pm                       Samantha Montini

2.10pm                       Pipe and Drums of Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service

2.50pm                       Sandy Sparkle

3.30pm                       Samantha Montini

4.10pm                       Pipe and Drums of Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service

4.50pm                       Samantha Montini

5.30pm                       Sandy Sparkle

We are committed to supporting our Armed Forces families and veterans. Find out how to get support if you’re a serving or formed Armed Forces member, reservist or family member by visiting the Armed forces and veterans page of our website. 

Discover more about Armed Forces Day via https://www.armedforcesday.org.uk/