ARMED FORCES DAY - POOLE

The Royal Marines Association Poole & District branch, associates, friends and families celebrated Armed Forces Day in style on Saturday 28 June 2025. The venue was Falklands Square Poole town centre and – appropriately – right next to our very own Falkland Isles memorial.

It was an early-ish start to beat the crowds (0900hrs) as we assembled to unload our stores from Ian Browns car. After a short “Irish Parliament” the location and configuration for the Gazebo was decided and we were set up and ready for the crowds by 10am. Gizzits were arranged, collection pots issued out, flags erected and card reader readied.

Business was brisk and lots of amazing engagement with locals and holiday makers alike set the tone for the day. We had a number augmentees on the day which was fantastic and made for a great atmosphere with lots of banter.

There was always something going on throughout the day; we were joined by a 4-man delegation from RMA Portsmouth who were made very welcome and who got stuck into fund raising with us.

RMA Portsmouth Det: L to R Andy Williams, Bill Cutler, John Williams & Bob Christy

Around lunchtime the sounds of a marching band could be heard from up the High street. As the music got louder the Dolphin Marching Band wheeled into Falkland Square and halted in front of our stand. We were then treated to two sets of military marching music before Chris Godber, the band master, marched the band off with an impromptu RMA street lining. This was a fine spectacle with crowds cheering and clapping and it really enhanced our effort and boosted the donations. I had spoken to Chris several months earlier and he had said they would do their best to be there and graciously assured us they would not expect to fund raise for their appearance.

The Dolphin Marching Band provided great military musical accompaniment

As the afternoon wore on I set up the static bike stance to clock-up a few more miles for the Victory-80 fund raiser and the RMA Portsmouth lads escorted Nikki to the Foundry arms on a fund raising foray.

10 more miles completed on the static bike for the VICTORY-80 challenge

Around 3pm we packed up and retired to the Centenary Club for a debrief, where, of course we joined with the LC reunion!

I know we have all done “Bucket Shakes” in the past but this was a specific effort to get Armed Forces Day on the map for Poole. We were visited by Amy Walton from BCP with a connection to Veterans Affairs. Amy has supported our effort and facilitated John McBride, also a veteran’s support officer with BCP to support us on the day. Our event also prompted the Catch-22 support organisation to reach out to me for a brief on our event.

I am delighted to report that our team raised £856.64 for RMA the Royal Marines Charity. 

My team of six + 1 know who they are. Thanks also to supporters on the day; John & Iris, Geof Haywood, Len & Maggie Dinneen, Jim & Julie Carberry, Wally & Lesley Noble, Yorkie’s LC vets (many of whom visited our stand to donate) obviously the President & Chairman and of course (Flags) Bushy from the Foundry!! If I have missed anyone, let me know as I can edit you in at any point!!

So, a huge THANK-YOU from me to all of you who supported this event and made it the resounding success it was.