Worcestershire Armed Forces Covenant Signing

Worcestershire County Council has formally recognised the sacrifices made by service personnel on active duty.

The Chairman of Worcestershire County Council, Councillor Rob Adams recently chaired a service to mark the signing of Worcestershire Armed Forces Covenant, a commitment setting out the county’s support for the country’s armed forces.

The Worcestershire Armed Forced Community Covenant aims to strengthen the relationship between local communities and the military and provides a platform for those in the armed forces to help and support the wider community through participation in events and joint projects.

The document was signed by Councillor Adrian Hardman on behalf of Worcestershire County Council and Worcestershire Partnerships, along with leaders of all the district councils, representatives from the Armed Forces alongside members of the local business, voluntary and public service community.

Photo (L to R) of Cllr David Hughes Leader of MHDC and Cllr Rob Adams, Chairman of Worcestershire County Council

Signatories to the covenant also included Brigadier Mark Banham MBE on behalf of the Armed Forces, Captain S W Howick RN Retd on behalf of the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association, Anthony Hartley-Woolley MBE JP on behalf of Royal British Legion, Colonel (Retd) Tony Ward OBE on behalf of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) Forces Help.

Councillor Rob Adams, Worcestershire County Council Chairman said: "The Armed Forces deserve our respect and thanks, through this covenant we aim to work closer with our Armed Forces Community to better serve their need. This Covenant is an endorsement of our support for the Armed Forces and an indication of Worcestershire's support for the military as a whole.

Councillor David Hughes, Leader of Malvern Hills District Council said: "This covenant gives us, the people of the Malvern Hills district, the opportunity to recognise the sacrifices men and women of the Armed Forces are prepared to give for the benefit of others, and it is right and fitting that we should be prepared to demonstrate our support and gratitude in this way. 

Brigadier Mark Banham, Commander of 143 (West Midlands) Brigade, said: “This Covenant represents the formalising of a long standing relationship between the Armed Forces of the West Midlands and the County of Worcestershire. We look forward to expanding that through closer ties and greater transparency.”