Newquay doubled its support for the Armed Forces at a special ceremony held at RAF St Mawgan on Monday.

The Armed Forces Day flag relay came to the airbase where flags were delivered to Mayor Margaret North and to Deborah Carter, the vice chairman of St Mawgan-in-Pydar Parish Council, which was attended by Station Commander Wg Cdr Marshall Kinnear, Deputy Lieutenant Jane Hartley, serving RAF St Mawgan military personnel, veterans and cadets.

Newquay HM Armed Forces Veterans Group signed the Armed Forces Covenant in the Atlantic Club following the flag relay, which pledges support for the Armed Forces.

The Newquay flag will be hoisted outside the town council offices at Marcus Hill and the St Mawgan flag at St Mawgan Church ahead of Armed Forces Day being held in Falmouth on Saturday, June 24. The flags symbolise the public support for the Armed Forces men and women, past and present and the very difficult job that they do.

The flag relay at RAF St Mawgan held in the shadow of a Sea King helicopter is amongst 10 being held across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly as part of Armed Forces Day, which will provide the stage for the whole UK to show support for the Armed Forces community. 

Highlights will include a Military Village showcasing vehicles, equipment and interactive displays, a full military parade through the streets of Falmouth, air displays and a Proms style music concert at Pendennis Castle.

Attendees hold a giant flag to help promote the event (Warren Wilkins/Voice Newspapers)

Newquay Town Mayor, Cllr Margaret North said: “The covenant signing and the flag relay ceremony mark this as a special day for Newquay.

“Armed Forces Day is an opportunity for our local community to be reminded of the contribution the Armed Forces make on a daily basis to our society.

“It’s a great honour and privilege to take part in this flag relay ceremony and take possession of the Armed Forces Day flag which is a clear and visible manifestation of their support.

“This flag will be raised at the start of Armed Forces Week. This act is a token of our respect for all Armed Forces personnel who live both in Cornwall and elsewhere, for the enormous contribution they have made over the decades to protecting our democracy and liberty.

“I can’t wait to see all the jets and parades at the main Armed Forces Day event in June.”

 RAF St Mawgan Station Commander, Wing Commander Marshall Kinnear added: “We really value having strong community links with the people of Newquay. Taking part in community events or hosting them like today provides a special way to keep those community links alive.”

Newquay Mayor Margaret North signs the Armed Forces Covenant (Mark Nicholson)

Newquay HM Armed Forces Veterans Group representative, Darren (Daz) Keelor said; “We are proud to support our men and women in the military, and as a veteran’s community group we plan to do what we can to provide the guidance and advice you need if you leave the forces. 

“We are here to help local veterans & serving members of HM Forces within our community, and apart from Armed Forces Day itself we’re looking forward to the Armed Forces Community Conference that leads up to it. It will be the first conference of its kind that is attended by Government Minister, Johnny Mercer MP.”