With just under two weeks to go, towns and cities across Wales are preparing to mobilise to show their appreciation for the UK’s Armed Forces.

Armed Forces Day (24 June) is an opportunity to say thank you to the entire Armed Forces community for the outstanding work they do; Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and women, both Regulars and Reservists, Cadets and veterans.

In its ninth year, Armed Forces Day is the national day dedicated to honouring the work of the Armed Forces. From fighting Daesh in the Middle East, to guarding the UK’s skies and seas, the UK’s Armed Forces will be saluted at a record number events across the UK and at the National Event, which this year takes place in Liverpool.

Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns will join thousands of people at the South Wales celebrations in Caerphilly (Saturday 24 June) to honour the work and dedication of our brave Servicemen and women deployed around the world. Armed Forces Day will be marked in North Wales on 17 June during a Drumhead Service in the shadows of Caernarfon Castle. The day will start with a military parade through the town centre, and will include representatives from all the Armed Forces plus Standard Bearers, Veterans and youth organisations.

Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns said:

Armed Forces Day is a special occasion when we gather together to recognise the dedication of those who work tirelessly to secure our nation’s security.

These are extraordinary men and women who risk their lives at home and overseas to protect our way of life. The exciting programme of events planned right across the country provide great opportunities for us to show our appreciation to those directly and indirectly involved in conflict. I hope to see thousands of people all over Wales joining in with the celebrations.

In the build-up to Armed Forces Day, rugby-mad Servicemen and women from Wales met up with members of the Welsh Rugby Union Squad ahead of their summer tour fixtures against Tonga and Samoa. Star players such as Alex Cuthbert joined representatives from the Army, RAF and Royal Navy to encourage people to go out and enjoy Armed Forces Day events.

Colonel Lance Patterson, Deputy Commander 160th Infantry Brigade and Headquarters Wales in Brecon and RAF Corporal Kelly Veryard, 27, from Mynachdy, Cardiff and were among the personnel who met members of the Welsh squad at their elite training base in the Vale of Glamorgan.

Colonel Lance Patterson said:

For more than three and a half centuries men and women from across Wales have served their nation in what we would recognise as the Armed Forces.

The Armed Forces in Wales continue to play a major part in Welsh society and are amongst the largest employers in Wales with individuals employed in both the Regular and Reserve organisations from the Royal Navy, Army and the Royal Air Force.

There are also a considerable number of dependents along with a significant veterans’ community. The cadet organisations are also very important with nearly 5,000 in Wales, supported by more than 1,000 adult volunteers.

The Armed Forces are proud to be recognised throughout Wales and truly appreciate the support shown. This is always evident but especially at events such as Armed Forces Day which provides a valuable opportunity to celebrate that bond between the Armed Forces and Welsh society.

I know that all Welsh men and women serving in the Armed Forces, either in Wales, elsewhere in the UK or across the globe are grateful for the support and recognition that Armed Forces Day brings.

Corporal Kelly Veryard said:

I’m a massive rugby fan and it was a real pleasure to meet the team before they flew off on their summer tour. As members of the Armed Forces we appreciate so much the support we get from the public and that recognition from our national rugby team is also very special indeed.

I’m delighted to see people across the United Kingdom coming together to mark Armed Forces Day. The day is a chance for people to say thank you to the extraordinary men and women, stationed across the globe who dedicate their lives to defending their country and keeping British people safe.

UK Armed Forces are currently involved in over 20 Operations in more than 25 countries, from South Sudan to Iraq. But many of those back at home will be in attendance at events across the country.

Also present will be many veterans that make-up the estimated 2.56 million Armed Forces veteran community living in the UK. Young Cadets will be present too; together the Sea, Army, and Air cadet forces have almost 100,000 members, many of which will be at events up and down the country.

Notes to Editors:

To find local events in Wales, please click here

Further information on Armed Forces Day, including a full list of events, can be found on the dedicated website

The Governor of the Bank of England has decided to re-appoint Andrew Haldane, Chief Economist at the Bank of England and member of the Monetary Policy Committee, for a further three-year term. In accordance with Section 13(3)(a) of the Bank of England Act 1998, the Governor consulted the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the appointment.

Statement by Secretary of State for Northern Ireland the Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP:

It is a privilege to be to have been asked by the Prime Minister to continue to serve as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland – particularly at such a crucial moment for Northern Ireland and the whole United Kingdom.

The UK Government remains steadfast in its commitment to the Belfast Agreement and to governing in the interests of all parts of the community in Northern Ireland. It provides the basis for Northern Ireland’s continued political progress and as the Government we remain firmly committed to this.

My immediate priority is reaching agreement on restoring an inclusive power-sharing Executive – which is what the people of Northern Ireland voted for in the March Assembly elections.

The statutory deadline to restore a functioning Executive to Northern Ireland is 29 June. Time is short but there was real progress in the last round of political discussion. Agreement between the parties can be reached if there is goodwill on all sides.

Talks must resume again as soon as possible and I will meet the party leaders and Irish Foreign Minister Flanagan in Belfast tomorrow. All those involved must engage in the full knowledge that the deadline of 29 June is final and immovable.

The UK government will do everything in its power, working alongside the Irish government in relation to those areas where they have responsibility, to contribute to and support the process, steadfastly upholding the principles of the Belfast Agreement and its successors.

Like the overwhelming majority across the community in Northern Ireland, I believe a devolved government in Belfast is the best way to address the key decisions which affect people’s day to day lives – whether these relate to the economy, security, public services or issues of policing and justice, as well as addressing the legacy of the past.

A Northern Ireland Executive also has a vital part to play in ensuring that Northern Ireland’s interests are represented as the UK prepares to leave the EU.

Northern Ireland’s political leaders now have this chance to take control and restore effective power sharing government under the current assembly mandate. If they do not, the power to make decisions passes to others. Their choice in the next three weeks will shape Northern Ireland’s future.