Armed forces and D-Day celebrations

Kettering will celebrate armed forces past and present in a community festival next month.

The Summer Saturday event on 29 June will mark the D-day anniversary earlier in the month, Armistice Day for World War II as well as the modern Armed Forces Day, on the day itself.

Held in the Market Place, the event is being organised by Kettering Town Council and will feature music from vintage band Bread 'n' Dripping, as well as a 1940s-themed performance from Kettering's MaSh Dance.

Also attending will be Northamptonshire Armed Forces Recruitment, The Kettering Branch of the Royal British Legion, the 1101 (Kettering & District) Squadron Royal Air Force Air Cadets and the Royal Air Force Association (RAFA).

Cornerstone will also be at the event with their World War II handling resources, small exhibits from the museum archives and a range of craft activities.

The Friends of Kettering Art Gallery and Museum will be running one of their popular history walking tours, starting at 11am at the Market Place.

The tour will proceed to the gallery war memorial, cross to the cemetery to visit the World War II graves and memorial, taking in the two Crimean graves and then finishing with Alfred East, who lost a son in the war.

David Brown from the friends, said: "Our history tours tell the hidden stories of Kettering folk and bring to life the past. There is so much hidden history in our town it's a pleasure to bring these stories out in the open and get people interested in what's been happening in the town. Everyone is welcome to come along, it's free and open to all."

Cllr Craig Skinner, Mayor of Kettering, said: "As a Royal Air Force veteran this event is particularly important to me. It means a lot to be able to remember our past and the contribution our armed forces make internationally and locally, and to celebrate that for Armed Forces Day. I am really glad that our cadets will also be present, as they represent the future of our armed forces.

"Summer Saturdays are free, community events for everyone to enjoy – come down to the Market Place and join in."

As well as the activities there will be street food, produce and stalls, with Wavy Bar selling speciality gins, Indian food from the Chilli Guys, artisan coffee from Happy Mondays Coffee Co, Mexican street food from Taco Shack, hot grilled wraps from Tasty States, home-made Doughlicious Pizza, gourmet burgers from Moo Hatch, Divine Doughnuts, loaded baked treats from Sweet Dem Sugar and fresh candyfloss and ice cream from Fluffy Sweets. Oak Apple Plants will be bringing their range of indoor and outdoor plants and flowers, Su Qu Designs will be selling handmade jewellery, plus there will be free face painting.