A parade will march through the streets of Morden to celebrate members of the country’s Armed Forces on Saturday, 25 June.

The Armed Forces Day parade passes through Morden in 2014

This year’s Armed Forces Day will start at approximately 9.15 am, mustering in Abbotsbury Road and will be inspected by the Mayor of Merton, Cllr Brenda Fraser, the Queen’s Deputy Lieutenant, Clare Whelan OBE and the Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Alambritis.

Armed Forces Day in 2014, with Council Leader Stephen Alambritis, centre, and the late Maxi Martin, far right.

There will be a dedication service at the war memorial outside of the Civic Centre in Morden at 9.45am.

Shortly after this at 10am, the parade will begin leaving Abbotsbury Road and turn into London Road, Morden.

It will march past the Civic Centre, arriving at St Lawrence Church where there will be three speakers: the Rector of St Lawrence Church, the Imam of Baitul Futuh Mosque and a representative from the Nepalese Gurkha community.

People are invited to join the parade or watch from the sidelines. The route will be clearly marked and there will be some road closures in place. Details will be on www.merton.gov.uk.

Having been led for many years by the late Councillor Maxi Martin, the event will celebrate all our Armed Forces. Cllr Martin died in April 2016.

At the dedication service, the Union Flag will be raised by the Mayor of Merton, Councillor Brenda Fraser and the Queen’s Deputy Lieutenant for Merton, Clare Whelan OBE.

The parade will be led by the reservists from the 151 Regiment The Royal Logistic Corps from the Army Reserve Centre in Stonecot Hill, together with representatives from several other organisations.

Members of the Gurkha community, invited guests and schoolchildren from local schools in the area will attend as well.

Councillor Dennis Pearce, who worked with Cllr Martin for 18 years, said: “We want to do a good job this year for the Armed Forces and Councillor Maxi Martin.

“We want as many people as possible to join us for what will be a fantastic day celebrating the hard work of the armed forces.

Refreshments will be provided afterwards at St Lawrence’s Church Family Centre and the Baitul Futuh Mosque.”