Surrey Armed Forces Covenant report 2024 to 2025

As I approach the end of my second year of being chairman of Surrey Civilian-Military Partnership Board, I am really pleased and proud of all the successes that have been achieved across Surrey since our last Armed Forces Covenant Conference at the Army Training Centre (Pirbright).

Firstly, I would like to highlight the re-signing of Surrey County Council’s (SCC) Armed Forces Covenant with Col David Kenny – Commander of Army Head Quarters South East (HQSE) at Full Council in December.  It was a truly momentous and symbolic occasion enjoying the unanimous support of all our County Councillors with speeches being made by Col Kenny and myself. It was a very special occasion for me.

The next piece of good news is the continued success of the Forces Connect App sponsored by SCC, where to date just over 40,000 people have downloaded it with 34 Regions across the UK signed up. The good news is that the Ministry of Defence (MOD) have made it available via Defence Gateway and MoDNet - their internal communications network - to nearly 350,000 people including Regulars, Reservists, Cadet Leaders and MOD Civil Servants. Coupled to it has been our Armed Forces Awareness Training, which has been hugely popular across the south east and especially in Surrey. Over 6,500 people have been trained to date from our local authorities, Armed Forces Champions, Covenant Lead Officers, Councillors, Front Line and Contact Centre Staff, Surrey Police, Surrey Fire & Rescue Service, SSAFA the Armed Forces Charity, Age UK and many other voluntary and community organisations.

Other good news is the continuing growth in the number of Veteran Friendly GP practices across Surrey. This is really good news for Surrey’s 32,500 ex-service personnel and veterans – a number of whom are now regularly attending our Veterans Hubs across the county including the three based in Surrey fire stations.

Events over Armed Forces Week in June began with the Surrey Joint Services’ Charities Choral Mattins at Guildford Cathedral where the Armed Forces Day (AFD) Flag was raised by HM Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey.  There was a march-past and inspection involving more than 360 cadets, with many proud parents looking on along with all Surrey’s Mayors. On the Monday, we had our very well-attended AFD Flag-Raising event at Woodhatch Place, with many other AFD Flag-Raising events taking place across Surrey. There was a special Reserves Day event in our Staff Canteen area with Col Richard Smith – Deputy Commander SE Reserves, Lt Col Tim Petransky – HQSE and Lt Col Helen Currie (SCC Staff) attending along with 135 Geo who also had a stand and spoke to many members of staff.

I was very privileged to be a VIP Guest of HQSE at the Annual Bula Festival in Queen’s Avenue, Aldershot where we celebrated the role that Fijians play within the Armed Forces as well as their keenness of sport (Rugby) and their music and culture with amazing food dishes! That was followed by a visit to Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) as a personal guest of the Commandant for the Annual British Army versus Pakistan Army Polo Match which ended in a draw.

Another highlight was attending and then inspecting 120 recruits at a Passing-Off Parade at the Army Training Centre (Pirbright) where I was joined by 16 Service children from the Royal Alexandra & Albert School (RAAS) as part of the SCC / RAAS Pupil Support Group.

I also attended the Surrey Official Poppy Launch at RMAS, followed by the County Service of Remembrance at Guildford Cathedral where I laid a wreath on Remembrance Sunday, followed by our own Special Service of Remembrance at Woodhatch Place on Armistice Day, which was very well supported by colleagues from SCC and Surrey Fire and Rescue Service.

Here in Surrey, we are most fortunate to enjoy excellent working and enduring relationships with both the Army Training Centre (Pirbright) and especially with its Commanding Officer - Lt Col Michael Bysshe; and 4 Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment – Lt Col Andy Carre; 1 Irish Guards – Major Paul Cody; 135 Geo – Major Quintin Locke and 579 Field Sqn Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) – Major Duncan Wood as well as Col David Kenny – Commander - HQSE and Col Patrick Crowley Chief Executive of SERFCA.  These are excellent and fruitful partnerships which underline the fact that Surrey is very much a military county, widely respected by the MOD.

As Chair of Surrey County Council, I have been privileged to get out and about around the County and to meet many people. Being Chair of SCC means that I am also Chairman of Surrey Civilian-Military Partnership Board and I must say that it has been one of the most enjoyable parts of that role as I attended and participated in so many Military activities and really got to know and to understand the Military. It has made me ‘armed forces aware’ and given me the confidence to represent them and their interests at the highest level of Government. I am grateful for the trust that they have put in me and the advice and support that I receive from our officers.

As I prepare to stand down as Chairman in May 2025, I shall look back with pride with all that has been achieved and the privileged role that I have played in working closely with all our partners. Our partners like me as your Chairman stand committed to do the right thing to ensure that no member of the armed forces community is disadvantaged because of their service to the Nation. If anything, all our partners and our Board Members are now even more aware of the ultimate sacrifice that our armed forces are prepared to pay in an ever more dangerous world to keep Britain and Surrey in particular, safe and free.

Saj Hussain 

Chairman of Surrey Civilian-Military Partnership Board

Surrey Civilian-Military Partnership Board

The Surrey Civilian-Military Partnership Board continued to meet during the year under the Chairmanship of the Chair of Surrey County Council to help foster closer working with the armed forces and support the aims of the Armed Forces Covenant. The Board focussed on the production of the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment and formally signed it off at the final meeting of the year. It was also pleased to receive updates from the Head of Royal Alexandra and Albert School on the support they provide to military children as well as regular updates from Army HQSE and SERFCA.

Surrey Armed Forces Covenant Conference 

Surrey’s annual Armed Forces Covenant Conference was held again at the Army Training Centre (Pirbright) hosted by the Commanding Officer with over 180 people registering to attend. The conference recognised the 80^th Anniversary of Victory in Europe Day and Victory in Japan Day through listening to some letters from 1945 read by Dame Penelope Keith. Capt Olivia Flaherty – Engineer of the Year - gave the keynote speech on Cyber Security. The remainder of the day focussed on the recommendations from the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment with speakers covering education, healthcare, housing, employment as well as Op Courage and Op Nova and some young people sharing their experiences of being a service child.

National Covenant Conference – University of Winchester

The National Armed Forces Covenant Conference was held at Winchester University in October with the theme of ‘Covenant Throughout’, which focused on all aspects of a Service Person’s life from new recruit to post Service life and families. The conference was a great success. The Veterans’ Minister – Col Al Carns MP paid tribute to tribute to the diligent work undertaken by Covenant Lead Officers and his wish to see the Armed Forces Covenant widened to cover important subject such as spousal employment in the UK and overseas, Adult Social Care and Immigration. Surrey County Council were privileged to have a stand promoting the Forces Connect App adjacent to the Ministry of Defence stand, which was very well received by conference delegates from across the UK.

Priorities within the District and Borough Councils

During the Autumn, the Covenant Lead at Surrey County Council met with the Armed Forces Champions and Covenant Lead Officers within all Surrey district and borough councils to offer support with implementing the Armed Forces Act 2021 and priorities within their own local Covenants.  Discussions focussed around staff surveys, website content, links with local Cadet Units, HR policies for the Armed Forces community, the Forces Connect App, the Employer Recognition Scheme awards and Armed Forces awareness training. All meetings were extremely positive and reinforced the countywide support for the Armed Forces community in Surrey.

Local Government Association Armed Forces Covenant Lead Network 

As a strong advocate of the Armed Forces community and an Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award holder, Surrey County Council’s Covenant Lead Officer has been appointed as Co-Chair of the Local Government Association (LGA) Armed Forces Covenant Lead Officers Network. This Group represents all Local Authorities across the UK and Northern Ireland and works closely with the Councillor leadsand officers at the LGA as well as preparing papers on behalf of all Covenant Leads for submission to Ministers. Its aim is to draw up policy guidelines and position statements such as on extending the remit of the Armed Forces Act as well as impact statements and the likely costings of extending the duty of ‘due regard’.

Briefing to Town and Parish Councillors and Clerks

Surrey’s Covenant Lead Officer was pleased to present to Surrey Town and Parish Councillors and Clerks (SALC) to raise awareness of the needs of the Armed Forces community and the support available, as well as the role of the Armed Forces Covenant and requirements for some public bodies under the Armed Forces Act 2021. The Forces Connect App was highlighted as a key method of signposting residents to help and support in a timely way.

Attendance at Surrey Pride and Surrey Fire and Rescue Service Open Day

Surrey colleagues promoted the support available to the Armed Forces community at two key public events during the year. These were Surrey Fire and Rescue Service Open Day held in Reigate in August and Surrey Pride in Guildford in September.  The Forces Connect App was a key resource promoted which was welcomed by veterans who visited the stand.

Multicultural Event at the Army Training Centre (Pirbright) 

In July, the Army Training Centre (Pirbright) held its Multicultural Event which showcased the cultural heritage of soldiers of diversified origin within the UK and non-UK nations. Activities on display included the Kukri dance, Nepalese cultural dance, bagpipes, sample foods and an opportunity to talk to soldiers from different cultures all who train or work at Pirbright.

Polo at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst

In summer 2024, Saj Hussain – Chair of Surrey County Council, Shahid Azeem – High Sheriff of Surrey, Cllr Leanne MacIntyre – Armed Forces Champion at Surrey Heath Borough Council and Canon Peter Bruinvels were invited to Polo Day 2024 at The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst as special guests of Maj-General Zac Stenning – Commandant, Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS). After a RMAS band display, there were two friendly matches to watch. The first was The Pakistan Society vs East India Club and the second was The Pakistan Army vs The British Army. Both were highly contested matches with accuracy and speed as well as regular changes of horses, resulting in a narrow win by Pakistan Army. It was the first time that the Pakistan Anthem was played at RMAS along with the hoisting of the Pakistan flag. A great way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

Bula Festival 2024

The Bula Festival took place on 3 August 2024 at Queens Parade Ground, Aldershot. Saj Hussain and Canon Peter Bruinvels attended as guests of Col David Kenny – Commander HQSE. Other guests included Council Leaders and Armed Forces Champions from across the south east. The festival honoured the traditions of Fiji, its rich culture, heritage and community spirit. With the Fijian community serving in all parts of the Armed Forces, guests were able to see their dynamic talents, including thrilling sports competitions at the Rugby clinic, to captivating performances, Fijian folk dances and intricate crafts as well as visiting the Army Military Village manned in part by Fijian service personnel.

Visit to National Air Traffic Services (NATS) - Royal Air Force (RAF) Swanwick

In late December, 10 Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award holders including Surrey County Council were invited by SERFCA to an employer engagement event to visit NATS, the UK's leading provider of air traffic control services who work to advance aviation and keep the skies safe. Each year, they handle around 2.2 million flights and 250 million passengers travelling in UK airspace. NATS - RAF Swanwick is also the command centre for the King’s Royal Flight and Headquarters for 78 Sqn RAF – Air Command and Control. Visitors to the Area Control Ops Room, the Terminal Control Ops room and the Distress and Diversion Cell were able to listen to Air Traffic Controllers giving landing instructions to planes including RAF planes landing at London City Airport, RAF Northolt and Shannon.

Legal Duty Extension Workshop

In December, Surrey County Council along with over 100 other Covenant Lead Officers across the UK took part in an online overview of the current Legal Duty of ‘Due Regard’ and how effective it was in the provision of Education, Healthcare and Housing. It was generally agreed that the duty was working satisfactory without the force of law, and local authorities considered it was the right thing to do. However, it was felt that Covenant Duty should be extended to employment with special emphasis on spousal employment in the UK and abroad; Adult Social Care; Further Education; Immigration and Citizenship. The workshop also highlighted Special Education Needs and the transfer of Education Health Care Plans from one area to another as a key issue for service families as well the benefit of designating the Armed Forces community as a protected characteristic under the Equality Act.

Armed Forces Awareness Training

Over 6,250 Surrey county, district and borough councillors and staff have been trained under the highly successful Armed Forces Awareness Training provided by Surrey County Council. From Armed Forces Councillor Champions, Council Leaders, Front Line and Contact Centre Staff to Surrey Police, GP’s, Surrey Library Staff and the NHS – all have reported back that they have learned a lot and did now understand the duty of ‘due regard’. All will now ask the all important question - “did you or your partner serve in the British Armed Forces?” when supporting residents.

His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey Awards Evening and Ceremony

The Awards night took place at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in October 2024 in the presence of HM Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey. Organised by SERFCA, meritorious service awards went to Reservists from 4PWRR and 135 Geo along with five awards to Cadet Forces Adult Volunteers (CFAVs)

Seven Cadets were appointed HM Lord-Lieutenant Cadets for 2024-2025. They came from Ash Manor Combined Cadet Force (CCF), St John’s Leatherhead CCF, Training Ship (TS) Thames, Mytchett Detachment; 261 (Guildford Sqn), 7^th Epsom Scout and Epsom Division Rangers.

After addresses from a Reservist and Cadet, Col David Kenny – Commander HQSE gave an update. This was followed by a Reception in the India Room enjoyed by Surrey Mayors and many other County VIPs.

Surrey Military Appeals Committee

Surrey Military Appeals Committee (SMAC) continues to meet three times a year under the chairmanship of HM Lord-Lieutenant. Bringing together lead representatives from the military, civic, media, politics, service charities and businesses, new members joining SMAC included Mrs Mary Cresswell – Vice Lord-Lieutenant, Peter Cluff – High Sheriff-in-Nomination for Surrey and Brigadier Ingrid Rolland - President, Surrey Royal British Legion. Items under discussion included spousal employment in Surrey; training Ukrainian soldiers; D-Day 80 Commemorations and the appointment of Lord-Lieutenant Cadets.

In June, SMAC and the Surrey Lieutenancy supported the Annual Surrey Joint Services’ Charities Choral Mattins Service at Guildford Cathedral launching Armed Forces Week and incorporating Armed Forces Day Flag-Raising and Surrey Cadets Marchpast and Inspection by the Lord-Lieutenant and High Sheriff. Surrey’s Mayor and Chairs were present.

The Band of His Majesty’s Royal Marines

The Band of His Majesty’s Royal Marines Portsmouth Live in Concert 2025 was held at Dorking Halls in February. Mary Cresswell – Vice Lord-Lieutenant, Lisa Townsend – Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner, Cllr Elizabeth Daly – Chairman, Mole Valley District Council and Canon Peter Bruinvels were all VIP guests of Commodore Rob Bellfield, Royal Navy Regional Commander. Guests were treated to a wide programme of music including The Corps of Drums playing Drum Static and Midway March; Star Wars – The Force Awakens. The evening concluded with the Finale - Miss Saigon; the March Past and ‘A Life on the Ocean Wave’ - the Regimental March of the Royal Marines. The VIP guests were introduced to Capt Matt Weites Director of Music of RM Band Portsmouth and WO2 Rich Sharp – Bandmaster during the interval.

Surrey County Council re-signs the Armed Forces Covenant

Surrey County Council re-signed the Armed Forces Covenant in December 2024 reinforcing its enduring commitment to ensuring fair treatment for all members of the Armed Forces community. The Covenant was re-signed during a special ceremony witnessed by Full Council underscoring Surrey’s longstanding support for its military community. The Chair of Surrey County Council Saj Hussain and Colonel David Kenny, Commander HQSE, signed the renewed Covenant, symbolising and strengthening further the partnership between Surrey and the Armed Forces.

The 160th Grand Military Gold Cup Meeting at Sandown Park

During this important Military race day, The Jockey Club signed the Armed Forces Covenant in the presence of Her Royal Highness (HRH) The Princess Royal. Signatories were Baroness Dido Harding – Board Member, The Jockey Club and Lt Gen Charles Collins – Commander Home Command – The British Army.

During the day, which is described as ‘Racing’s Thank You to the Armed Forces’, there were six races with HRH The Princess Royal presenting the Gold Cup to Capt Douglas White who rode the winner – Fil D’Ariane.

There were Military Stands, Military Displays and Service Charity Stands as well as briefings for many young students organised by Lt Col Tim Petransky – HQSE.

Surrey County Council shared a stand with Spelthorne Borough Council promoting both the County’s recently published Joint Strategic Needs Assessment supporting the provision of education, employment, health and housing and the Forces Connect App.

Surrey Army Challenge Day at Woodhatch Place

Nineteen colleagues from Surrey County Council, Elmbridge Borough Council, Spelthorne Borough Council, Tandridge District Council, Woking Borough Council, Mole Valley District Council, Reigate and Banstead Borough Council and Waverley Borough Council were welcomed to Woodhatch Place by Army HQSE and 4PWRR based in Redhill to run an Army Leadership Challenge Event in the grounds. They carried out a number of Army based physical challenges designed to improve teamwork, communication and leadership skills. Colleagues also received a briefing on the role of the Army in the southeast, as well as the benefits of becoming a reservist and the transferrable skills that being in the Army bring to the workplace. The feedback from participants was hugely positive.

Gold Leadership Luncheon at RMA Sandhurst

The Sandhurst Leadership Lunch took place in March at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Organised by SERFCA, lead Gold Award businesses heard speeches on empowerment, leadership and whether one is born to be a leader or to be led from Lieutenant Colonel Russell Lewis - Commanding Officer 1st Battalion London Guards and from Robert Boughton, Chief Executive Officer, Thakeham, West Sussex on successful delegation and working out 'in the field' as lead Housebuilders. The SCC Covenant Lead Officer led a session of both Advocacy and Mentoring as well as promoting the SE Gold Awards Association.

Gold Awards Advocacy Seminar

Surrey’s Covenant Lead Officer and Chairman of SE Gold Awards Association led two ‘Going for Gold’ sessions on Advocacy at SERFCA HQ in Farnborough for 31 MOD Employers Recognition Scheme Silver Award holders who were looking to progress to gold. The interactive session helped show how an organisation can support Defence and the Armed Forces community and advocate for others to do the same.  Companies were encouraged to refresh and re-sign the Armed Forces Covenant every 5 years as well as a procurement initiative to get all their suppliers to sign up to the Covenant. He concluded by saying that every Company who achieves the gold award is seen to be a “Military Friendly Employer of Choice”.

Gold Awards National Steering Group

Surrey’s Covenant Lead Officer as Chairman of South East Gold Awards Association is a member of the Gold Awards National Steering Group and also represents local authorities. Local authority best practice has been highlighted along with the good working partnership between SERFCA and south east local authorities. A brief has also been provided on the potential impact of local government reorganisation which is likely to substantially reduce the number of local authorities in the south east.

Surrey Scouts Signs the Armed Forces Covenant

On Armed Forces Day 2024, Surrey Scouts became the first Scout County in the UK to sign the Armed Forces Covenant. Representing a commitment on behalf of the 18,000 members of Scouting in Surrey, the Armed Forces Covenant was signed by Joe Rogerson (County Commissioner) and Lt Col Tim Petransky, in the presence of His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey, Mr Michael More-Molyneux.

Pupils of Military Service Personnel Steering Group

To ensure the needs of our Service Children in Surrey are addressed and recognised, a multidisciplined team of practitioners has been established. The Pupils of Military Service Personnel Steering Group is chaired by the County Council and includes representatives from inclusion, additional needs, admissions, school transport, schools, commissioning, Early Years and Surrey University who work together to help ensure that ‘No one is Left Behind’ or disadvantaged as a result of their service and all are able to reach their full potential.

Royal Alexandra and Albert School (RAAS) Visit to the Army Training Centre (Pirbright)

As part of the established links between Surrey County Council, RAAS and now the Army Training Centre (Pirbright), 16 service children from the school paid a second visit to the Army Training Centre (Pirbright) to observe a Passing-Off parade at the end of November 2024. Having been publicly welcomed by the Inspecting Officer, they were given a top-level briefing by one of the RSMs on the Army Training Centre (Pirbright) and all the training activities undertaken there. This was followed by a Q&A session when the service children were able to ask questions on any subject.

RAAS – The Month of the Military Child and peer support group

In November, Surrey’s Covenant Lead was invited to a very special social event for all RAAS’s 180 service children in Gatton Hall, which followed on from a similar celebration in April put on for the Month of the Military Child. These events enable all the young pupils to get together to celebrate being service children and to compare notes. Such events involve food and loud music! But fun was had by all.

Early Years support to Pre-Schools

Surrey Early Years and Childcare Service submitted an application to the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust to enable Bernardo’s to support 12 pre-school settings in Surrey with high numbers of service children to be able to deliver and implement the Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies (PATHS) Programme for Pre-Schools. The aim of the project is to provide staff with a systematic developmental procedure for enhancing social competence and understanding in children and create an emotionally safe learning environment.

The Peter Pan Pre-School Nursery on which the Covenant Lead Officer is Co-Chair was successful in receiving an Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust grant in 2024.

Surrey Wing Air Cadets Awards Evening

In March, Canon Peter Bruinvels and Brigadier Paul Evans were VIP guests at the Surrey Wing Annual Awards Night held at St John’s School, Leatherhead. Both were privileged to hear of the outstanding achievements by many RAF Air Cadets including the large sums they raised for the Surrey Poppy Appeal and leading Squadrons, their OCs and Cadets.  Long service awards were also given out during the evening and Canon Bruinvels was privileged to act as Reserve Chaplain.

The Forces Connect App, a vital resource for the Armed Forces community, is now even more accessible thanks to its latest upgrade. This popular, free app, designed to connect users to organisations offering support across a broad range of areas, is now available both as a mobile app and via computer at  www.forcesconnect.co.uk. Wide promotion of Forces Connect has continued and the app is now accessible through Defence Gateway and MODNet to Service Personnel and is advertised on every self-service kiosk within Surrey libraries. Since its launch in 2019, the Forces Connect App has grown steadily, enabled by funding from the MOD Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust and current sponsorship from Surrey County Council. It now boasts over 40,500 downloads. These recent changes were made possible through additional support from Surrey County Council, demonstrating its commitment to the Armed Forces community and to ensuring no one is left behind.

Norbury Park Sawmill

Following an introductory session at Surrey County Council’s Norbury Park Woodland Hub/Sawmill, veterans have been working with the council’s Countryside Estate Team on a range of practical woodland related tasks. The Council manages around 10,000 acres of some of the most valuable and protected countryside sites in the region. Managing and maintaining these sites is a significant operation and the veterans make a positive contribution. One Friday a month they attend rain or shine, working with enthusiasm and good-humour, undertaking valuable woodland management work. A key element of the work is coppicing, which involves cutting and processing Sweet Chestnut and Hazel, which helps to maintain a diverse and valuable habitat for endangered species such as Dormice and supporting rare plants and insects that are reliant on the coppiced habitat. The timber is cut and processed into a variety of useful products such as: tree planting stakes, firewood and fencing. These products are then used by the Council and/or other non-profit organisations. The veterans have also been involved in a project to provide logs for outdoor classrooms which are given free to Surrey Schools to support Forest Schools activities. They have also helped with the production of Dormouse nest boxes, made from timber cut from the Council’s estate, which will provide valuable habitat and protection for this species. The veterans make a valuable contribution to Council objectives for: nature conservation, sustainability, education and social value projects, and all done with a smile.

Veteran Hubs across Surrey

Veterans’ Hubs across Surrey usually meet monthly, culminating in a major coming together party at Christmas. Fordbridge held theirs at Fordbridge Fire Station in Staines with more than 50 veterans and special guests attending. A really happy event, the veterans were joined this year by Nicholas Wood-Dow, Cllr Joanne Sexton – Leader and Daniel Mouawad Chief Executive both from Spelthorne Borough Council.

Guildford Veterans Hub celebrated Christmas in style with the on-duty fire-fighters joining them for a very festive Christmas event at Guildford Fire Station. All the regulars were present along with the local County Councillor and Police Community Support Officer.

Unit Welfare Officers’ Meeting

Twice yearly, Surrey County Council’s Covenant Lead Officer chairs the Unit Welfare Officer meeting which Unit Welfare Officers attend from local military units including Minley, Aldershot, and RMA Sandhurst as well Army Training Centre (Pirbright), 4PWRR, the Irish Guards and 135 Geo. Uniquely Reserve Welfare Officers are full members of this group. These meetings which are operated under Chatham House rules are supported by a top-level support group covering Education, Housing, Transport and Health with practitioners including a serving Headteacher as members of the group.

Regular topics discussed include in-year school admissions; school transport; housing off-camp and the difficulties experienced when service children subject to Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) transfer from one education authority to another.

Health and Welfare Event at the Army Training Centre (Pirbright)

Over 700 recruits visited the Health and Wellbeing Event held at the Army Training Centre (Pirbright) in December. Surrey County Council had the opportunity to promote the Forces Connect App with many recruits downloading the App along with their instructors and a neighbouring Commanding Officer. Army water bottles; dental floss and a free physio check were on offer along with a few words of encouragement from the Army Chaplain.

Armed Forces Week

Armed Forces week in June was marked across the County by a number of events. The week began on Sunday 23 June with the Annual Surrey Joint Services; Charities Choral Mattins at Guildford Cathedral incorporating D-Day 80 with 360+ tri-service cadets attending and marching past the Lord-Lieutenant, High Sheriff and Chairman of SCC after an inspiring address by the Ven Air Vice-Marshal Giles Le Good – Chaplain-in-Chief to the RAF on ‘Heroes’. Over 750 guests watched the Armed Forces Day flag-raising, inspection and march-past in blazing sunshine.

Monday 24 June saw local authorities across the county raise their Armed Forces Day flag to mark the official start of the week locally.

Wednesday 26 June was Reserves Day. This was marked by a special event hosted by Surrey County Council at Woodhatch Place. Following a presentation to thank the Reservists that work for Surrey County Council and Surrey Fire and Rescue Service by Col Richard Smith, Commander for SE Reserves, staff were encouraged to find out more about life in the reserves from Army HQSE and 135 Geographic Squadron Royal Engineers who both had informative displays with opportunities to handle weapons and try on Army kit.

At the end of the week a special D-Day 80 Service was held at St Matthew’s Church, Ashford where Canon Peter preached and the Mayor of Spelthorne read the Lesson.

Freedom Parade and 80th Anniversary of D-Day

On Saturday 8th June, Surrey’s local regiment, The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment (4PWRR) exercised the Freedom of the Borough of Guildford and also commemorated the 80th anniversary of D-Day.  This meant that the Regiment was able to march through the town with bayonets fixed, Colours flying and band playing. The 4th Battalion provided the majority of the officers and soldiers on parade; it has its headquarters in Redhill and one of its companies is located at Farnham.  The marching troops were accompanied by the Band of The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment.  The majority of those on parade were Army Reservists, who balance their normal civilian work with service in uniform for King and country.  Cadets from all three community cadet organisations, Sea Cadet Corps, Army Cadet Force and Royal Air Force Air Cadets lined the route along the High Street.  Many veterans and Service families were in the audience as well who were also able to find out more about 4PWRR and becoming a reservist from the information stands in the High Street.

Recognise and Remember Task Group

The Recognise and Remember Task Group continues to meet under the chairmanship of Brigadier Paul Evans with a wide remit on Recognition and Remembrance. All Armed Forces Champions and Covenant Leads are members along with Surrey Lieutenancy, Surrey Police, SERFCA, Surrey Royal British Legion, Surrey History Centre and a representative from the Veterans Hubs. Items under regular discussion included preparations for Armed Forces Day; the Month of the Military Child; D-Day 80; Surrey Poppy Appeal and Remembrance Sunday.

In advance of the ending of World War 2 (WWII) 80 years ago, preparations are well in hand to commemorate Victory in Europe (VE) Day 80 with a special County service at Guildford Cathedral on 11 May 2025 and Victory in Japan (VJ) Day 80 with a special County Evensong again at Guildford Cathedral on 17 August 2025.

Armed Forces Awareness Training is offered through this Group along with advice and support for Surrey’s Veterans Hubs and promoting Surrey’s Annual Armed Forces Covenant Conference.

Remembrance Events 2024

Numerous Remembrance Events were held across Surrey with record attendances at many of them including Dorking, Epsom, Guildford and Woking to name but four. Surrey County Council had its own Remembrance Service led by the Chair of Surrey County Council, with a large number of visitors and Councillors in attendance along with Surrey Fire and Rescue Service and other Surrey County Council Reservists.

As in previous years, a special Service of Remembrance and Last Post was held for veterans, their families, the Mayor of Guildford and Deputy Armed Forces Champion at Guildford Fire Station – Home to Guildford’s Veterans Hub on the Saturday ahead of Remembrance Sunday. Surrey’s Covenant Lead Officer took the Service after an afternoon reception and party with tea and cakes.

Surrey Royal British Legion Poppy Launch

In October, Surrey Royal British Legion (RBL) held their annual Surrey Poppy Launch at The Royal Alexandra & Allbert School in Gatton Park, Reigate. The launch took place in the School Chapel and began with a brief Service. Guest of honour was HM Lord-Lieutenant and a number of Deputy Lord-Lieutenants, the Chair of Surrey County Council, Councillors, Veterans and RBL Branch Members. Attending also was Lincoln Jopp MP (Spelthorne) and a Member of the Defence Select Committee. All visitors were entertained by a lone piper from Gordon’s School who really excelled himself.