The annual Armed Forces Day lunch was held on Saturday 28th June in the Marco Pierre White restaurant at the Clifton Hotel, Folkestone. It was held during Armed Forces Day Week (Monday 23rd – Sunday 29th June 2025) to acknowledge and thank invitees for all their support – past, present and future and to highlight the sacrifices made by our local serving personnel, including regulars, reservists and veterans on behalf of the Nation.
The lunch was hosted by the Worshipful Town Mayor of Folkestone, Cllr Lucy McGirr on behalf of Folkestone Town Council. Principal guests included Mr Geoff Miles OBE MA DL, Admiral Sir George Zambellas GCB DSC ADC DL – Lord Warden & Admiral of the Cinque Ports and Lady Amanda Zambellas. Also in attendance were Mrs Toni Brenchley – Town Clerk, Folkestone Town Councillors and representatives from the following organisations: Cheriton & Morehall RBL, Sandgate RBL, RNA Folkestone Branch, 99 (Folkestone) Squadron RAF Cadets, Folkestone & Hythe Sea and Marine Cadets, Army Cadet Unit – Folkestone Detachment and the Chair and Secretary of Folkestone Nepalese Community.
Folkestone Royal British Legion Community Choir paid tribute to all our Armed Forces providing entertainment for lunch guests with wartime, swing and jazz song performances.
Organiser, Communities & Events Officer, Vicky Deakin said: “Folkestone Town Council are delighted that guests in attendance represented so many local military and civic organisations and that they were deservedly and respectfully acknowledged, praised and thanked by the Deputy Lieutenant and Lord Warden in their speeches.
Council made the decision that due to high costs and level of resource required to deliver the usual large-scale Armed Forces Day, the event will now be organised bi-annually, with the next one scheduled for June 2026. It is hoped that it will be the largest Folkestone AFD to date, attracting a high number of visitors, locally, regionally and nationally”.
The Town Mayor of Folkestone, Councillor Lucy McGirr, thanked every soldier, airman, sailor and marine for their service and sacrifice and expressed pride in all they do. She said: “Folkestone Town Council and I wish to thank the members of the RBL, SSAFA, Help for Heroes and all military charities who carry out such excellent work in assisting members of the armed forces in our communities”.
The Town Mayor also personally thanked all representatives of veteran associations, military charities and cadet units that attended the lunch.
