Preparations for Nottingham City Council’s National Veterans Day 2008 celebrations are well under way at Wollaton Hall, Gardens & Deer Park. Veterans Weekend 2008 will take place on Saturday 21 – Sunday 22 June from 11am – 5pm, and presents an opportunity for people from across the region to come together to honour all of our veterans.

An action packed programme of activity has been planned, with something for everyone – both young and old alike, it promises to be a celebratory event to remember!

The armed forces, Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue and St John Ambulance have been working closely with Nottingham City Council to co-ordinate the entertainment. Highlights include a sky diving display on Saturday with the British Parachute School Langar and the London Fire Brigade Skydiving Team, a Dakota fly past on Saturday and a Harrier fly past on Sunday, costumed tours, living history displays, military bands, vehicles and displays, climbing tower, field gun display, fun fair and much more.

Veterans from throughout the region are also set to be honoured at the event with a Bevin Boy Badge presentation taking place on Saturday 21 June and a Veterans Badge presentation taking place on Sunday 22 June.

The event, which for the second year has been named by the Ministry of Defence as the flagship event for the East Midlands, will celebrate 100 years of the TA and 90 years of the RAF. A Drumhead service, March Past and Salute on Sunday will mark both anniversaries.

Councillor David Trimble, Portfolio Holder for Community and Culture said: "It is a great honour for Nottingham City Council to play host to such a fantastic event in celebration and recognition of the contribution all of our veterans make to society – both during their time in service and in their civilian lives. I encourage everyone to come along on 21 and 22 June to Wollaton Hall, Gardens and Deer Park to join the celebrations. We intend to deliver an exciting and entertaining event every member of the family will enjoy."

Admission to the event will be free, although a car parking charge of £3.50 each day will apply.

National Veterans Day takes place each year on June 27. The Ministry of Defence encourages and supports local authorities throughout the country to organise celebratory events around this time.

Further information on Veterans Weekend and National Veterans Day can be found at www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/veterans or by calling Wollaton Hall on 0115 915 3900.

Help and support is available to Veterans via www.veterans-uk.info or by calling the free Veterans Helpline on 0800 169 22 77.