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Blackpool wins national honour
WE will remember them – in style!
Blackpool today ended a year-long streak of losing out on major prizes as it was named host of Britain's Veterans Day 2008.
Veterans applauded as it was announced the town had beaten rivals Manchester and European Capital of Culture Liverpool to host the June 27 day of national celebration and commemoration.
Events ranging from a spectacular aerial Grand Prix to a moving ceremony at the newly-restored cenotaph are expected to attract thousands of visitors as part of a nine-day Veterans Week.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown is tipped to be among the high-profile dignitaries to attend.
The announcement was made in London this morning by Veterans Minister Derek Twigg and simultaneously by Blackpool Mayor Robert Wynne at the Tower Ballroom.
Coun Wynne said: "Blackpool is absolutely delighted to have been chosen. It's a great honour for the town.
"Blackpool has many historical links with the armed forces and has a special place in the hearts of many veterans.''
The resort has for the last three years run its own celebrations, which have brought in ex-servicemen and women from across the UK.
Blackpool Council leader Coun Peter Callow, a Navy veteran himself, said today: "This is fantastic news for Blackpool.
"It will be a wonderful chance to introduce a new generation of veterans to Blackpool to join the many ex-service groups who already come to our great town.
"It is huge for Blackpool to get this honour. It will bring in thousands of people and show them what we have to offer.
We have suffered in recent years by being the bridesmaid, but never the bride. This is our turning point to show Blackpool can and will deliver."
Coun Ron Bell, founder of the Royal Marines Association in Blackpool, added: "I'm overwhelmed we've been awarded this. I see it as a turning point for Blackpool's fortunes from which we will continue to move forward."
D-Day veteran Cyril Ellis, 84, of Midgeland Road said: "Veterans Day is where it belongs. Blackpool looks after its veterans and deserves to get this honour."
Speaking from London, Major Jim Houldsworth, chairman of the Fylde ex-Service Liaison Committee which put together the bid with Blackpool Council, added: "We're ecstatic.
"This is a fantastic start to the year for Blackpool and long overdue recognition for the veterans of the Fylde coast. We've always honoured our ex-service organisations and it is great to see where we led with our Veterans Week celebrations in 2005, others have followed."
While November 11 is a time for the nation to remember those who died during the two world wars and subsequent battles,Veterans Day, the centrepiece of Blackpool's nine-day festival between June 21 and 29, is a day to celebrate anyone who has served in the armed forces, both in war and peacetime.
Today's announcement comes after a string of disappointments for Blackpool, including the failure to secure the UK's first supercasino, missing out on lottery funding for the People's Playground on the Promenade and the loss of every major party political conference.
Mr Twigg said: "We've had a number of excellent bids to host this year's celebrations, but Blackpool Council's efforts stood out. I congratulate them on the excellence of their bid.
"With the establishment of an annual Veterans Day, each year June 27 is our chance to recognise the achievements of veterans who live among us."
Among the highlights will be the unveiling of a new statue at the cenotaph during the rededication of the site after a 200,000 makeover, followed by a march past by 12 Regiment Royal Artillery who were given the freedom of Blackpool in 2005.
One veteran is 24-year-old Police Community Support Officer Oliver Shilitoe who completed tours of Afghanistan, Northern Ireland and Cyprus with 12 Regiment and who, along with D-Day marine Jim Baker, will become the face of the town's 2008 celebrations.
The week, thought to cost at least 100,000, will be part funded by cash from a 3.5m North West Development Agency grant and 25,000 from the Ministry of Defence..
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Weather for Blackpool
Wednesday 30 May 2012
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