A FORMER Mayor of Wellington has said she was “extremely disappointed” at the low turnout for the annual Armed Forces Day earlier this year.

A service was held in Wellington Park on June 27 and organised by the local branch of the Royal British Legion.

It was attended by a number of veterans, representatives of Wellington Town Council and some members of the public.

During the service the town council’s chief executive, Dave Farrow, sprinkled the ashes of crosses laid to mark last year’s Remembrance commemorations on the Memorial Garden and wreaths were laid on behalf of the authority and the Royal British Legion.

But former Mayor, Cllr Janet Lloyd, speaking at the council’s most recent events working group meeting, said more work needed to be done to mark the occasion in the future and make it a bigger event.

The meeting heard there was no representation from The Rifles Regiment, the Armed Forces outreach team or Wellington Army Cadets.

Cllr Lloyd suggested that in future the Armed Forces Day official flag should be flown a week before next year’s event to raise awareness.

She also said the group needed to speak with the chairman of the Wellington branch of the Royal British Legion about the event and that they should invite the community to come together to have a picnic in the park along with live entertainment and music.

Armed Forces Day takes place on the last Saturday each June - falling next year in 2027 on June 27.

It is a chance for people to show their support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community - from currently serving personnel to service families, veterans and cadets.

“Showing support for the Armed Forces provides a much-valued morale boost for serving personnel, veterans and their families,” said an Armed Forces Day spokesman.