Entertainment Swindon

Saturday 28th June saw over 6500 people turn out at Lydiard Park in support of our Armed Forces for Swindon Armed Forces Day, which also commemorated the 80th Anniversary of the Second World War.

The event put on by SBC and volunteers including, Shirley Ludford (Swindon 105.5), Alana Fiorelli (VAS), Cllr Junab Ali (SBC Armed Forces Champion), Mike Buss (Entertainment Swindon/Army Veteran), Steve Perry (Army Veteran) and Nav Hasan (SBC) was enjoyed by thousands of visitors to the park that itself has military connection to World War 2 where the grounds were used as a field hospital for the American 101st injured during D-Day, as well as being a prisoner of war camp for German prisoners.

The Free event saw the people of Swindon enjoy a glorious sunny day full of entertainment on the main stage organised by Swindon 105.5 which included performances by the Swindon Concert Band, a dance troupe and choir.

Both Swindon MPs attended the event, with former soldier Will Stone MP taking on the 7Rifles fitness challenge, achieving 43 press ups under the 27degree sun.

MP Heidi Alexandra paid thanks to the team behind this years event, whilst Swindon Mayor Cllr Fay Howard and the Wiltshire Lord Lieutenant Dame Sarah Rose Troughton planted the first of 80 saplings to be a permanent reminder and place of respect and remembrance to the 80th Anniversary of the end of WW2.

Taking a walk around the event field, there was over 90 stalls of all descriptions, from selling crafts, to face painting, to charities including Help for Heroes and the Change Lives Not Knives campaign.

Speaking to Cllr Daniel Adams, he said: “It’s great to see such a well attended event, and great weather to match. Swindon has a long history of connections with the armed forces and still does, so it’s great to see this event put on to celebrate them and all they continue to do for us”.

The Wiltshire Police had a selection of vintage cars from the 1960s with an Austin Cambridge, a Vauxhall from the 1980s often affectionally known as the Jam Sandwich, a Mark II Escort all the way up to modern day Police Cars, there was the Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service and there was axe throwing put on by the Scouts.

The Military contingent took centre stage in the middle of the event field with B Company 7Rifles, 101 REME and 280 Movement Control Squadron, 162 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps. Opposite was the Wiltshire Army Cadets, Swindon & Wootton Bassett Sea Cadets and 1244 Sdn Air Cadets.

For more information, and contact details on the above Swindon based Army Reserve Units, click HERE.

There was also a fun packed Fun Fair put on by the awesome Steven Hill Fun Fairs with an array of inflatables, trampolines, merry-go-rounds, hook a duck, bumper cars, and shooting gallery to name a few.

Swindon Marshall Land Rover showed their support of Swindon Armed Forces Day. A spokesperson from the company said: “we are thrilled to be a part of Swindon Armed Forces Day, we want to show support for our brave men and women of our armed forces. Land Rover has had a long history with our armed forces and its great to be showing off the New Land Rover Defender”.

Speaking to some of the team behind this years event, it was clear that the team are keen to get started on organising Swindon Armed Forces Day 2026. Click HERE to follow the official Swindon Armed Forces Day Facebook Page.