Here's some video footage of yesterdays Armed Forces Day in Edinburgh.
Showing posts with label Armed Forces Day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Armed Forces Day. Show all posts
Sunday, 26 June 2011
Saturday, 25 June 2011
Armed Forces Day 2010 - Edinburgh event details:
Recent updates from Edinburgh City Council gave the impression that today's events were taking place in Holyrood Park. It looks like that is tomorrow and today's events are mainly happening in West Princes Street Gardens:
From: http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/news/article/93/thousands_to_show_support_for_armed_forces_past_present_and_future
13:00 Armed Forces Day Parade will depart from Edinburgh Castle Esplanade and proceed down the Royal Mile, past the City Chambers and the Saluting Dais and down to Princes Street Gardens, halting at Mound Precinct, National Galleries.
14:00 The Ross Theatre in Princes Street Gardens will host:
Tea in the Marquees. A chance for members of the armed forces, veterans and the general public to mingle over a cuppa
Information stands will display information about Veterans Associations, the Armed Forces and Armed Forces Day.
Various activities will be taking place along in Princes Street Gardens throughout the afternoon, including an inflatable assault course, face painting and a bouncy castle.
Performances from the Royal Regiment of Scotland Band
14:15 Official Speeches
14:30 Military Music set at Ross Bandstand
16:30 Ceremony of Beating Retreat
From: http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/news/article/93/thousands_to_show_support_for_armed_forces_past_present_and_future
13:00 Armed Forces Day Parade will depart from Edinburgh Castle Esplanade and proceed down the Royal Mile, past the City Chambers and the Saluting Dais and down to Princes Street Gardens, halting at Mound Precinct, National Galleries.
14:00 The Ross Theatre in Princes Street Gardens will host:
Tea in the Marquees. A chance for members of the armed forces, veterans and the general public to mingle over a cuppa
Information stands will display information about Veterans Associations, the Armed Forces and Armed Forces Day.
Various activities will be taking place along in Princes Street Gardens throughout the afternoon, including an inflatable assault course, face painting and a bouncy castle.
Performances from the Royal Regiment of Scotland Band
14:15 Official Speeches
14:30 Military Music set at Ross Bandstand
16:30 Ceremony of Beating Retreat
SAFHS Conference 2011 - Live Blog
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15.59 Everyone's packing up, and so am I. It's been a long day. I'll post up a report later maybe.
15.31 Postcard sellers are the curse of my wallet...
It's getting quieter now, I think the lasttalk has either finished or nearly finished. I'm not sure how long we'll be here for now, but probsbly at least another hour or so.
No-one has claimed the free book. Still time, though...
14.32 A nice couple of queries there, where I was able to locate service records for two individuals. One in particular was chock-full of information the lady had never known before. Makes the day worthwhile to be able to help like that.
13.53 So Andrew Nichol has told me to say he HAS written his talk. I don't believe a word of it.
Finally got a chance to say hello to Chris Paton. He might just be the busiest man on the planet. He's just back from Canada, and in November he has the honerous task of being on an all-expenses paid cruis in New Zealand. Well, someone's got to do it.
And I bought another book! Don't tell my wife...
13.17 Okay, quick quiz! What does Harry Potter have to do with family history?
I have no idea, but one FHS is selling a Harry Potter novel...
13.15 apparently there's a raflle today. I'm surprised no-one's tried to sell me some tickets yet.
the talk by Andrew Nichol of the Scottish Catholic Archives might be interesting, especially considering that at half eight this morning he hadn't written it yet...
13.10 Still time to claim a free book...
12.40 I'll manage to eat sometime. Had a nice conversation with a lady who was involved in the restoration of the memorial at Penicuik. The photos we have on the War Memorails Project are from before the restoration so we'll hopefully be able to get some more infor and some better photos.
12.07 Just been shown a photograph which appeared to be Victorian, and might have been posed as a court martial. Hopefully it will be sent in to us and we can feature it on the blog. My lunch is still sitting here uneaten - I can't get a moment!
11.50 Time for a quick bite to eat before the hoped-for lunchtime rush. I've grabbed ten minutes to look over the stall. The FIBIS stall has a large selection of books, many of which I'm salivating over. I'll have to resist, my wallet couldn't take it!
11.27 Busy busy! Lots more queries, a few tales of grandfathers etc. You never know what queries you're going to get, although we always seem to get a few queries about the Militia!
It's also encouraging to meet people who say "I'm in a group doing some research, would you like a copy?" That's always great to hear, sharing information is one of the keystones of our group, and it's nice to see resources being shared.
10.57 More queries, more questions. Done a couple of lookups for folk.
Chris Paton is here, although he flew in to our room, looked around and flew out again. Hopefully I'll get a chance to catch up with him later.
10.23 It's interesting to see the variety of queries you get. I've already been asked about army doctors during the Napoleonic era, and now a query about the memorial in Basra. That particular gentleman has been researching his family and has three ancestors who served in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalion of the Black Watch. He's almost certain that one of his ancestors served directly underneath the Queen Mothers brother.
10am - Met a person who reads the blog! Always nice to meet someone who read us...
9.57 - If there's anyone in Edinburgh not decided what they're doing today, come along and see us. We're on the first floor and you're guaranteed a friendly welcome. I'll offer an incentive - the first person who visits our table and says the words "Hector Macdonalds nickname was Fighting Mac" will receive a free copy of "There Was a Soldier", worth at least £10.
9.45 - Some interesting queries. A couple with an interest in the Musselburgh area were asking about how names were compiled for memorials. Another lady had a query about her grandfather who served in the Royal Scots and I was able to find his Medal Index Card.
One gentleman had a query on a man named on a Roll of men who served for avillage in Cheshire. Apparently this man had served in an agricultural unit, and the list they have has the abbreviation HDL. Unfortunately that's not one I'm familiar with. Can anyone help?
9.20am Just thought I'd share this, which I spotted in the Grassmarket as I made my way here this morning. I'll need to check if we have this on the SWMP. If we don't then I'll add it later.
9am - I'm not sure if we're open now, or if we open at quarter past. Either way, it's getting busy with folk still setting up. Plus I've just bought the 8th Division 14-18 history for £8, so I'm reasonably happy!
Just so you know, the 2012 SAFHS conference will be in the Bonar Halls, University of Dundee on 21st April 2012. Book your place now! We'll probably be there...
8.43am Not long now till the doors open, and things are getting busy.
I'm surprised to see a number of Family History Societys not here. Dumfries and Galloway FHS are always here, but not this year. Fife FHS are another strangely absent society.
Some interesting stalls here, though. Scotlandspeople have some stands that offer you the ability to browse their online content, SCRAN are here as are Deceased Online. The Genealogical Society of Utah are also here.
Oh, and so you know what to look for when you come, here's a pic of our stall. Hopefully it'll be surrounded by interested folk in a little while!
7.59am Well, I'm here, and I'm online! Today should be an interesting day. The weather's not that great, so maybe people will come inside and see us rather than the Armed Forces Day festivities! Hopefully there's enough interest in both events.
Check back later on the blog to see how we're getting on.
15.59 Everyone's packing up, and so am I. It's been a long day. I'll post up a report later maybe.
15.31 Postcard sellers are the curse of my wallet...
It's getting quieter now, I think the lasttalk has either finished or nearly finished. I'm not sure how long we'll be here for now, but probsbly at least another hour or so.
No-one has claimed the free book. Still time, though...
14.32 A nice couple of queries there, where I was able to locate service records for two individuals. One in particular was chock-full of information the lady had never known before. Makes the day worthwhile to be able to help like that.
13.53 So Andrew Nichol has told me to say he HAS written his talk. I don't believe a word of it.
Finally got a chance to say hello to Chris Paton. He might just be the busiest man on the planet. He's just back from Canada, and in November he has the honerous task of being on an all-expenses paid cruis in New Zealand. Well, someone's got to do it.
And I bought another book! Don't tell my wife...
13.17 Okay, quick quiz! What does Harry Potter have to do with family history?
I have no idea, but one FHS is selling a Harry Potter novel...
13.15 apparently there's a raflle today. I'm surprised no-one's tried to sell me some tickets yet.
the talk by Andrew Nichol of the Scottish Catholic Archives might be interesting, especially considering that at half eight this morning he hadn't written it yet...
13.10 Still time to claim a free book...
12.40 I'll manage to eat sometime. Had a nice conversation with a lady who was involved in the restoration of the memorial at Penicuik. The photos we have on the War Memorails Project are from before the restoration so we'll hopefully be able to get some more infor and some better photos.
12.07 Just been shown a photograph which appeared to be Victorian, and might have been posed as a court martial. Hopefully it will be sent in to us and we can feature it on the blog. My lunch is still sitting here uneaten - I can't get a moment!
11.50 Time for a quick bite to eat before the hoped-for lunchtime rush. I've grabbed ten minutes to look over the stall. The FIBIS stall has a large selection of books, many of which I'm salivating over. I'll have to resist, my wallet couldn't take it!
11.27 Busy busy! Lots more queries, a few tales of grandfathers etc. You never know what queries you're going to get, although we always seem to get a few queries about the Militia!
It's also encouraging to meet people who say "I'm in a group doing some research, would you like a copy?" That's always great to hear, sharing information is one of the keystones of our group, and it's nice to see resources being shared.
10.57 More queries, more questions. Done a couple of lookups for folk.
Chris Paton is here, although he flew in to our room, looked around and flew out again. Hopefully I'll get a chance to catch up with him later.
10.23 It's interesting to see the variety of queries you get. I've already been asked about army doctors during the Napoleonic era, and now a query about the memorial in Basra. That particular gentleman has been researching his family and has three ancestors who served in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalion of the Black Watch. He's almost certain that one of his ancestors served directly underneath the Queen Mothers brother.
10am - Met a person who reads the blog! Always nice to meet someone who read us...
9.57 - If there's anyone in Edinburgh not decided what they're doing today, come along and see us. We're on the first floor and you're guaranteed a friendly welcome. I'll offer an incentive - the first person who visits our table and says the words "Hector Macdonalds nickname was Fighting Mac" will receive a free copy of "There Was a Soldier", worth at least £10.
9.45 - Some interesting queries. A couple with an interest in the Musselburgh area were asking about how names were compiled for memorials. Another lady had a query about her grandfather who served in the Royal Scots and I was able to find his Medal Index Card.
One gentleman had a query on a man named on a Roll of men who served for avillage in Cheshire. Apparently this man had served in an agricultural unit, and the list they have has the abbreviation HDL. Unfortunately that's not one I'm familiar with. Can anyone help?
9.20am Just thought I'd share this, which I spotted in the Grassmarket as I made my way here this morning. I'll need to check if we have this on the SWMP. If we don't then I'll add it later.
9am - I'm not sure if we're open now, or if we open at quarter past. Either way, it's getting busy with folk still setting up. Plus I've just bought the 8th Division 14-18 history for £8, so I'm reasonably happy!
Just so you know, the 2012 SAFHS conference will be in the Bonar Halls, University of Dundee on 21st April 2012. Book your place now! We'll probably be there...
8.43am Not long now till the doors open, and things are getting busy.
I'm surprised to see a number of Family History Societys not here. Dumfries and Galloway FHS are always here, but not this year. Fife FHS are another strangely absent society.
Some interesting stalls here, though. Scotlandspeople have some stands that offer you the ability to browse their online content, SCRAN are here as are Deceased Online. The Genealogical Society of Utah are also here.
Oh, and so you know what to look for when you come, here's a pic of our stall. Hopefully it'll be surrounded by interested folk in a little while!
7.59am Well, I'm here, and I'm online! Today should be an interesting day. The weather's not that great, so maybe people will come inside and see us rather than the Armed Forces Day festivities! Hopefully there's enough interest in both events.
Check back later on the blog to see how we're getting on.
Wednesday, 22 June 2011
SAFHS Conference 2011
The Scottish Genealogy Society will be hosting the 22nd Annual Conference of the Scottish Association of Family History Societies on Saturday, 25th June 2011 between 9.30 and 4.30pm.
The venue is Adam House, Chambers Street, Edinburgh and we'll be there!
Come along, say hello and see what we've been up to. We'll also try and answer any queries you might have about your own research, or we'll give you a few pointers that might help you.
We'll hopefully be blogging throughout the day, so keep checking back here to see what's been going on over the course of the day.
For more information visit the Scottish Genealogy Society site.
The venue is Adam House, Chambers Street, Edinburgh and we'll be there!
Come along, say hello and see what we've been up to. We'll also try and answer any queries you might have about your own research, or we'll give you a few pointers that might help you.
We'll hopefully be blogging throughout the day, so keep checking back here to see what's been going on over the course of the day.
For more information visit the Scottish Genealogy Society site.
Tuesday, 21 June 2011
Armed Forces Day 2011
This years Armed Forces Day in Edinburgh is actually Armed Forces Weekend, with a number of special events planned.
This year Edinburgh is hosting the nation’s biggest ever flagship celebration of Armed Forces Day, with three days of events planned across the city to show support for the men and women serving in the Armed Forces, their families, veterans and cadets.
The weekend launches on Friday 24th June with a day of Royal Navy-themed activities centred around Ocean Terminal in Leith. Between 11am and 6pm visitors can tour the Royal Navy frigate HMS Portland, plus watch a Royal Navy Gun Display and demonstrations by the Royal Navy and Royal Marines. Military pipe bands, several veterans’ organisations and the Flying Gunners Motorcyle Display Team will also be on hand, and the day will conclude with an aerial display by the Red Arrows over the Firth of Forth at 7pm
On Armed Forces Day – Saturday 25th June – a parade of around 1500 serving personnel, veterans and cadets will process down the Royal Mile, preceeded by 90 members of the Riders Branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland (beginning at 10:45am). The parade concludes at Holyrood Park, where numerous activities will take place over the course of the day.
These include displays of armoured vehicles; a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (featuring a Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane); a Royal Marine combat demo; aerial feats by the RAF Parachute Display Team; a Veterans’ Village; a Drumhead Memorial Service for fallen soldiers; flypasts by the Red Arrows, Tornados and Typhoons; plus live music, pipe bands, Highland dancing, and a bar.
If that’s not enough, you can try your hand at flight simulators, the portable climbing wall or an inflatable assault course, while the kids keep amused at the bouncy castle and crazy golf. The day concludes with a Beating Retreat, a musical extravaganza featuring all the service bands.
The weekend concludes with a day of activities organised by DecAid, a nationwide charity appeal set up by under 25s to support three separate service charities: SSAFA Forces Help, BLESMA and Talking2Minds, all of which assist service members and their families. The appeal marks 10 years of armed forces’ involvement in Afghanistan and is particularly aimed at getting young people to show their support. The goal is to raise at least £350,000 by the end of the year.
DecAid’s programme of events for the year kicks off in Edinburgh on Sunday 26th June with a procession of Massed Pipes and Drums, featuring pipers and drummers of all ages. The parade begins at 11:45am and continues down the Royal Mile to Holyrood Park, where there will be a day of fun activities for all the family, including a British Military Fitness session at 11am, live musical performances (including finalists in DecAid’s Battle of the Bands), and a military-style assault course, before the closing ceremony for the weekend at 4:45pm.
For more information on Armed Forces Day, visit www.armedforcesday.org.uk.
To see the complete programme of events in Edinburgh, visit www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/760/events_and_festivals/1366/national_armed_forces_day_2011.
For more information on DecAid’s activities and events, visit www.decaid.co.uk.
This year Edinburgh is hosting the nation’s biggest ever flagship celebration of Armed Forces Day, with three days of events planned across the city to show support for the men and women serving in the Armed Forces, their families, veterans and cadets.
The weekend launches on Friday 24th June with a day of Royal Navy-themed activities centred around Ocean Terminal in Leith. Between 11am and 6pm visitors can tour the Royal Navy frigate HMS Portland, plus watch a Royal Navy Gun Display and demonstrations by the Royal Navy and Royal Marines. Military pipe bands, several veterans’ organisations and the Flying Gunners Motorcyle Display Team will also be on hand, and the day will conclude with an aerial display by the Red Arrows over the Firth of Forth at 7pm
On Armed Forces Day – Saturday 25th June – a parade of around 1500 serving personnel, veterans and cadets will process down the Royal Mile, preceeded by 90 members of the Riders Branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland (beginning at 10:45am). The parade concludes at Holyrood Park, where numerous activities will take place over the course of the day.
These include displays of armoured vehicles; a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (featuring a Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane); a Royal Marine combat demo; aerial feats by the RAF Parachute Display Team; a Veterans’ Village; a Drumhead Memorial Service for fallen soldiers; flypasts by the Red Arrows, Tornados and Typhoons; plus live music, pipe bands, Highland dancing, and a bar.
If that’s not enough, you can try your hand at flight simulators, the portable climbing wall or an inflatable assault course, while the kids keep amused at the bouncy castle and crazy golf. The day concludes with a Beating Retreat, a musical extravaganza featuring all the service bands.
The weekend concludes with a day of activities organised by DecAid, a nationwide charity appeal set up by under 25s to support three separate service charities: SSAFA Forces Help, BLESMA and Talking2Minds, all of which assist service members and their families. The appeal marks 10 years of armed forces’ involvement in Afghanistan and is particularly aimed at getting young people to show their support. The goal is to raise at least £350,000 by the end of the year.
DecAid’s programme of events for the year kicks off in Edinburgh on Sunday 26th June with a procession of Massed Pipes and Drums, featuring pipers and drummers of all ages. The parade begins at 11:45am and continues down the Royal Mile to Holyrood Park, where there will be a day of fun activities for all the family, including a British Military Fitness session at 11am, live musical performances (including finalists in DecAid’s Battle of the Bands), and a military-style assault course, before the closing ceremony for the weekend at 4:45pm.
For more information on Armed Forces Day, visit www.armedforcesday.org.uk.
To see the complete programme of events in Edinburgh, visit www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/760/events_and_festivals/1366/national_armed_forces_day_2011.
For more information on DecAid’s activities and events, visit www.decaid.co.uk.
Monday, 20 June 2011
Forthcoming Events - Edinburgh's War Drop-in Surgery
Your Country and Library Need You!
This Friday, 24th June at the Central Library, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, between 12.00 - 3.30, the Centre for the Study of Two World Wars in collaboration with Edinburgh Central Library, is running a drop-in surgery.
Members of the public are invited to bring World War 1 family diaries, photos and artefacts where they can discuss them with a team of specialists.
This event is taking place in support of this year's Armed Forces Day.
For more information, please email edwar@ed.ac.uk.
This Friday, 24th June at the Central Library, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, between 12.00 - 3.30, the Centre for the Study of Two World Wars in collaboration with Edinburgh Central Library, is running a drop-in surgery.
Members of the public are invited to bring World War 1 family diaries, photos and artefacts where they can discuss them with a team of specialists.
This event is taking place in support of this year's Armed Forces Day.
For more information, please email edwar@ed.ac.uk.
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