Veterans’ events to get cash boost

Mar 12 2008 by Ben Schofield, Liverpool Daily Post

LIVERPOOL will host the region’s celebrations to honour military veterans.

The team behind the city’s unsuccessful bid to host the National Veterans Day festivities were told by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) they will receive £7,500 to put on a weekend events programme in May.

Organisers also say they will begin preparations next month to apply for 2009’s national event.

Ken Orme, chairman of the Liverpool Military Show and Veterans Weekend, added he was looking for a sponsor to bankroll a military tattoo at the Echo Arena.

He said he would like to hold an event with gun carriages and a military band that Prince Harry or the Duke of York may attend.

Derek Twigg, MP for Halton and minister for veterans, will attend this year’s Liverpool Military Show and Veterans Weekend.

The 2008 show is billed as being the biggest yet.

Paratroopers will drop into Walton Hall Park during the weekend’s activities.

There will also be a motorcycle display team and an arena exhibition marking the 100th anniversary of the Territorial Army.

The MoD grant will go some way to meeting the £35,000 cost of the weekend.