ukho flies the flag for armed forces day - United Kingdom ...

22 June 2009
UKHO FLIES THE FLAG FOR ARMED FORCES DAY
PICTURE CAPTION: From left, UK National Hydrographer, Rear Admiral Ian Moncrieff and Deputy
National Hydrographer, Captain Vaughan Nail are pictured raising the Armed Forces Day Flag at
the UKHO.
The United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) is showing our support for
Britain’s Armed Forces by flying a special flag designed for Armed Forces Day
and holding our own on-site event on the day itself.
The Armed Forces Day Flag is being flown at the Admiralty Way site of the
Taunton-based nautical charts and products producer as part of a national
week-long programme of celebrations that will culminate in the first ever
National Armed Forces Day on 27 June.
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UK National Hydrographer and UKHO Deputy Chief Executive, Rear Admiral
Ian Moncrieff, was at the flag raising ceremony today (22 June) at 10.30am,
which coincided with similar events organised by councils, businesses and
community groups up and down the country.
Rear Admiral Moncrieff said: “The idea of a dedicated day in the calendar that
will provide an opportunity for the nation as a whole to show our support for all
those serving in the Armed Forces and their families, who carry a critical
support role themselves, for their loved ones deployed overseas, and for
those veterans who have served, has been talked about for some time. I am
delighted to see that this has now become a reality with the inaugural Armed
Forces Day set this year for 27 June.”
He added: “Recent and ongoing operations in Iraq and Afgahnistan have
captured the public awareness of what sacrifices remain inherent in
commitment to modern armed conflict, but there is also the wider continuing
work of deployed forces in areas such as the Falklands and the many areas in
which we also act for defence diplomacy and force for good, safeguarding UK
interests and essentially being “on watch for UK 24/7” around the world.
Hopefully the profile and events relating to Armed Forces day will showcase
these and the good story that UK Armed Forces have to tell in delivering all
that is asked of us for the nation. In this context, and not only as a Serviceman
myself, I am delighted UKHO is flying the flag and also hosting a site-wide
event on the day.”
Details of event happending nationally can be seen on the internet at
http://www.armedforcesday.org.uk/Events.aspx
UKHO, which is itself part of the Ministry of Defence, will hold an Armed
Forces and Families Day on Saturday 27 June for staff and their relatives.
This event will include a range of events, displays, exhibitions and working
demonstrations and, will not only put the spotlight on the work of UKHO and
the Armed Forces, but raise money for UKHO’s charity of the year, Open
Door.
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Features of the event will be a Royal Navy rock climbing wall, Marines Career
Stand, Royal Navy Reserve Lynx Helicopter, displays by UKHO’s TS Roebuck
sea cadets, military guard dog demonstrations and tours around the office.
Rachel Grant, part of the organising committee, said: “All the organisations
coming in have given their time for free. We hope to mark the Armed Forces
Day in style while also raising a huge amount for the UKHO’s charity of the
year, Open Door and hope as many staff as possible can come and enjoy the
day.”
ENDS
For further information contact:
Tamsin Hodge, UKHO Media Manager
01823 337900 ext 3706
tamsin.hodge@ukho.gov.uk
Notes for Editors
1. The UKHO, which is part of the Ministry of Defence, has been charting the world’s oceans
for more than 200 years with the primary aim of providing navigational services for the
Royal Navy and merchant mariners to save and protect lives at sea. In addition it also
serves the small craft and leisure mariners and provides a range of consultancy services.
2. The UKHO produces a worldwide series of some 3,300 paper nautical charts and 160
publications under the Admiralty brand and has a growing portfolio of Electronic
Navigational Charts (ENCs). These charts are sold globally and used by nearly 70 per
cent of international shipping.
3. The UKHO is a Trading Fund which means it is a government agency owned by the MoD
with the freedom to trade commercially to generate revenue and cover running costs.
4. The UKHO also plays a central role, in support of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency,
in discharging the navigation element of the UK’s Safety of Life at Sea Treaty obligations
for waters of UK national responsibility.
5. The first Armed Forces Day is June 27 2009, and it is an opportunity for the nation to
show our support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community:
from serving troops to service families, veterans to recruits.
6. Across the country, people are getting involved. Communities are holding local events,
businesses are showing their support through promotional offers and, to kick off
proceedings, local authorities are holding flag-raising ceremonies at 10.30am on June 22.
7. To find out more you can log onto www.armedforcesday.org.uk
8. The UKHO’s Armed Forces and Family Day is not open to the public due to security
reasons. Visitors will be the authorised guests of staff.