The Armed Forces Day National Event (AFDNE) Cornwall 2023 will take place in Falmouth between 23rd-25th June 2023, with a number of events planned across the weekend and in the lead up. Although the focus of the event is Falmouth, activities will be taking place across the county.
Last year Cornwall Council won the competitive bidding process for AFDNE 23 amidst stiff competition from a number of towns and cities around the country. The bid was singled out for Cornwall’s success at hosting events of national and international significance on the back of G7 and Tour of Britain. In addition, the compilation of the bid was heavily supported by all of Cornwall’s resident Armed Forces units and support organisations, a feature unique to the bid.
Work to organise the event is well underway and key features will include but not be limited to:
16 March – 100 Days to go press launch event at Pendennis Castle
April – June – Schools and youth groups outreach programme
April – June – Series of community and local events throughout Cornwall to lead up to the main weekend
22 June – Conference at Falmouth University focussing on support for our armed forces
23-25 June – Main weekend held in Falmouth and with local community events taking place across Cornwall
The Council is keen for as many organisations as possible to be involved and opportunities for the charitable and voluntary sector include but are not limited to:
The Armed Forces Conference – Thursday 22 June
There will be a conference of national significance at Falmouth University, focusing on support for our armed forces (including health and wellbeing, housing and employment) supported by the Office for Veterans Affairs. Organisations have the opportunity to attend as a delegate or have a ‘stand’ in the conference venue to help promote their work.
A stall in the Charity/voluntary sector marquee (anticipated to run 23-25 June)
Organisations will be allocated a display area in the all-weather marquee facility and electricity will be available upon request. Please note, we are aware that some groups have complex displays for events such as this and as such, displays outside but adjacent to the marquee may be permitted on negotiation with our events team. To request a stand, please use the contact form on the event website.
Activities to celebrate local organisations – Sunday 23 June
There is significant opportunity for your organisation to be part of additional activity over the weekend of the Falmouth event. The Saturday will have a serving military led theme but the Sunday is focused around community and support activity, with a distinctly local feel. Here there will be a chance to showcase Cornwall’s organisations through displays and activities. On the Sunday, there are already plans to host events such as a pilot gig regatta, cadet based displays, supported by musical acts. It would be fantastic to add to that programme with displays of local organisations in action – whether that be water activities, walking groups, forest skills demonstrations, musical entertainment etc. If you feel that your organisation can contribute to the wider ‘look’ and ‘feel’ of activity on Sunday we would love to hear from you.
The website that has been set up will be the main source of information and this will be constantly updated in the lead up to the event. Home – Armed Forces Day (cornwall.gov.uk)
There are a number of key features of the events:
Sustainability – A theme that will run throughout the build-up and the delivery of the main weekend. There will be lots of opportunity for local groups and schools to get involved in events to both celebrate the event and offset the carbon from the main weekend.
Community Events – Whilst Falmouth will be the focus of the main weekend event, we are really keen for celebrations to take place across Cornwall. Groups will be able to brand their own events under the AFDNE Cornwall branding or organise their own events, utilising the community toolkit which is now available on the website.
Getting involved – Involvement is encouraged from individuals, community groups, veterans’ groups, charities and schools and there are numerous opportunities to do so. Full details and contact forms will be posted on the website as soon as they become available.
Volunteering – The main weekend will require an ‘’army’’ of volunteers to run smoothly. We need help with car parks, marshalling, information points and venue support. If you, your organisation or any of your friends and families want to get involved in this activity, please direct them to Volunteer Cornwall’s link to register as a volunteer:
Please get in touch via AFDinfo@cornwall.gov.uk with any ideas of ways that your organisation would like to contribute to the event or if you have any further questions.
