Veterans Weekend 2008
Celebrating 100 years of the TA and the 90th anniversary of the RAF
21-22 June,Wollaton Hall, Gardens & Deer Park
The East Midlands flagship event for celebrating National Veterans Day 2008.    

Wollaton Hall, an Elizabethan mansion set in a historic 500 acre Deer Park, provided a magnificent setting for the East Midlands flagship Veterans celebration.

Organised by Nottingham City Council in close partnership with military organisations, the weekend featured an extravaganza of activity. Special costumed tours brought history to life as visitors discovered what it was like during WWII through the eyes of the people who lived, worked, were billeted or POWs at Wollaton Hall. The 508 Parachute Infantry Regiment living history re-enactment group set up camp in the park, where the tri-services had stands featurng vehicles, demonstrations and displays. A Veterans Marquee housed 11 veterans associations and the arena, at the centre of the activity, showcased acts such as the Dako Flying Angels and the AMK9 Dog Display Team, as well as providing the location for the Veterans Badge Presentation.

The images below give a taster of the festivities...

Bevin Boy Badge Presentation in the Hall

Image on left shows the Bevin Boy Badge recipients waiting in Wollaton's Great Hall. Image on right - from left to right: Major Rhodes, WO1Neil Waters, Veterans representative Bill Maher, Lord Mayor of Nottingham Cllr Gul Nawaz Khan, Graham Allen MP, Chairman of Nottinghamshire County Council Cllr Joan Taylor & The Lady Mayoress, Neghat Khan.

Further images of the Bevin Boys Badge Presentation:

• Click here for an image of Graham Allen MP addressing the Bevin Boy Badge recipients
• Click here for an image of Graham Allen MP presenting a Bevin Boy badge
• Click here for an image of a Bevin Boy receiving his badge
• Click here for an image of the Lord Mayor of Nottingham with a Bevin Boy
• Click here for an image of the Lord Mayor of Nottinfham with a Bevin Boy & ATS lady
• Click here for an image of the Notts County Council Chair presenting a badge
• Cick here for an image of the Notts County Council Chair with a Bevin Boy

Activities in the arena & throughout the park

   

Image on the left show members of the 508 Parachute Infantry Regiment living history re-enactment group. Image on the right shows the AMK9 Dog Display Team in action in the arena.

Further images of activities in the Hall, arena & park:

• Click here for an image of the ATS Ladies who provided support throughout the weekend
• Click here for an image of Bevin Boy re-enactor, John Wright, in Wollaton Hall's Prospect Room
• Click here for an image of the  508 Parachute Infantry Regiment living history re-enactment group
• Click here for an image of the Nottingham Arkwright Society's steam engine display
• Click here for an image of the Dako Flying Angels
• Click here for an image of the Household Cavalry

Drumhead Service

   

Image on the left shows the Drumhead Service, with its stunning backdrop of Wollaton Hall. The Image on the right shows the Standard bearers making their entrance for the service.

Further images of the Drumhead Service:

• Click here for an image of the drums & standards
• Click here for an image of the Drumhead Service participants
• Click here for a view of the service and the Hall
• Click here for an image of RAF Waddington Band performing in the arena

Veterans Badge Presentation

  

Image on the left shows the Veterans awaiting their badges in the presentation on Sunday 22 June. The image on the right shows Sir Andrew Buchannan, Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire presenting a badge.

Further images of the Veterans Badge Presentation

• Click here for an image of Sir Andrew Buchannan presenting a badge to a female veteran
• Click here for an image of Sir Andrew Buchannan presenting a badge to a male veteran
• Cilck here for an image of Sir Andrew Buchannan talking with a veteran
• Click here for an image of Colonel Roger Merryweather, High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire presenting a badge
• Click here for an image of Sir Andrew Buchannan and Colonel Roger Merryweather with a veteran
• Click here for an image of Brigadier Richardson, 49E brigade with a veteran
• Click here for an image of Brigadier Richardson, 49E brigade talking with a veteran
• Click here for an image of Group Captain, Nigel Wharmby, RAF Cranwell presenting a veterans badge
• Click here for an image of Mayor of Derby, Cllr Barbara Jackson presenting a veterans badge

Thank you to everyone who took part in this years event