THE Mayor said she was disappointed at the turnout from people for a ceremony at the war memorial in Wellington Park to mark Armed Forces Day.

A short ceremony took place at the war memorial on June 29 involving Wellington Town Council, the Wellington branch of the Royal British Legion, the Wellington Churches Together group and some local school children.

But the Mayor, Cllr Janet Lloyd, speaking at the full council meeting on Monday (July 1) suggested that they should look at what they do for Armed Forces Day in the future.

The event, which falls on the last Saturday of June, is held each year to recognise the commitment of all personnel in the country’s Armed Forces and cadet organisations and also remembers those who have lost their lives in wars and conflicts.

Cllr Lloyd said the event should be more about “thanking” the Armed Forces rather than making it an occasion of remembrance.

“Members of the public were few and far between for the ceremony at the War Memorial and there weren’t a lot of councillors in attendance either,” she said.

Cllr Lloyd added, however, that the area had only recently commemorated the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings which was well-supported.

A British Legion spokesman said: “Armed Forces Day is the annual opportunity for us to come together in recognition and celebration of the wonderful service provided by our regular and reservist soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines, past and present, and the families that have supported them.”