As well as aiming to provide a vote of thanks to the local community who support the Academy, the event is also aiming to raise £20,000 for charity.  This year’s recipient charities will be the Tri-Service charities; Tantivy - a children’s respite home based in Stanton Fitzwarren; and FreyaBeya - a Watchfield-based charity which aims to raise money to enable special needs schools to buy in live music and musical resources for communication.

The event, for those unfamiliar with it, follows the traditional military music and firework format of music played from a central stage and a marching display (this year by the Pipes and Drums of the 5th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland).  Music from the stage will be provided by one of the bands of the Royal Marines and 2 female vocalists. One of the most awakening highlights of the evening will be the fireworks finale. With an additional display provided by the Royal Artillery’s Parachute Display Team, The Black Knights, the event provides a tremendous deal for the price of the tickets.  Those who attend tend to bring along a picnic and let the show unfold before them. Tickets are selling quickly, especially as we near the date when prices go up (1 June).

Tickets can be purchased from the Defence Academy Main Gate Reception and the Jubilee Centre