#lord-lieutenant — Public Fediverse posts

City turns out to mark 85 years of the RAF Air Cadets with parade and service at Swansea Minster

Swansea city centre paused shortly after lunchtime as the RAF Air Cadets led a full civic parade from John Chard VC House to Swansea Minster, accompanied by senior civic leaders and representatives from the armed forces community.

The parade stepped off at around 1pm, travelling along Oxford Street and Whitewalls, where the salute was taken by the Lord Mayor of Swansea near the entrance to Swansea Market. Short rolling road closures were put in place to allow the procession to pass safely, with the return journey beginning shortly after 2.30pm.

Inside Swansea Minster, cadets, families and dignitaries gathered for a special anniversary service celebrating 85 years since the formation of the Air Training Corps. The service included prayers, readings and ceremonial elements led by clergy and cadet representatives.

In a statement earlier today, Swansea Council encouraged residents to show their support for the young people taking part, describing the event as a chance to recognise the contribution of the RAF Air Cadets to the city and the wider region.

Members of the public and uniformed personnel gather outside for the civic element of the event. (Image: Swansea Minster) RAF Air Cadets assemble outside NEXT in Swansea city centre before stepping off for the parade. (Image: Swansea Minster) Cadets stand to attention as clergy lead prayers at the front of the church. (Image: Swansea Minster)Flags and standards fill the aisle during the RAF Air Cadets’ anniversary service. (Image: Swansea Minster) Candle bearers lead part of the ceremony inside Swansea Minster. (Image: Swansea Minster) A young RAF Air Cadet stands at a lectern delivering a reading during the anniversary service at Swansea Minster.
(Image: Swansea Minster)Cadets and clergy gather at the front of the church for the presentation of standards. (Image: Swansea Minster) Cadets carry ceremonial flags down the aisle as the service begins. (Image: Swansea Minster) Dignitaries join the congregation inside Swansea Minster for the anniversary celebration. (Image: Swansea Minster) Cadets stand in formation beneath the stained‑glass windows of Swansea Minster during the service. (Image: Swansea Minster) Clergy lead the anniversary service at Swansea Minster as cadets and families look on. (Image: Swansea Minster) Cadets gather inside Swansea Minster ahead of the 85th anniversary service. (Image: Swansea Minster) A packed Swansea Minster watches the RAF Air Cadets’ formal procession. (Image: Swansea Minster)

Swansea Minster later thanked those who attended the service, paying tribute to Reverend Canon Justin Davies for his homily and acknowledging the presence of The Lord Lieutenant of West Glamorgan Louise Fleet JP, The High Sheriff of West Glamorgan Diana Stroia, and The Lord Mayor of Swansea Cllr Cheryl Philpott.

The Minster also praised the cadets for what it described as a “fabulous service”, with photographs showing the scale of the turnout both inside the church and along the parade route.

The RAF Air Cadets, founded in 1941, provide training, leadership opportunities and aviation‑focused activities for young people across the UK. Today’s event marked one of the largest public celebrations of the anniversary in Swansea.

#ArmedForces #CllrCherylPhilpott #DianaStroia #HighSheriffOfWestGlamorgan #LordLieutenant #LordMayorOfSwansea #LouiseFleetJP #militaryParade #RAFAirCadets #ReverendCanonJustinDavies #Swansea #SwanseaMinster

Pupils join civic and faith leaders to mark Holocaust Memorial Day in Swansea

The annual commemoration honours the millions of people murdered in the Holocaust and in genocides around the world. This year marks 81 years since the liberation of Auschwitz‑Birkenau, the largest Nazi concentration camp complex.

Students from Bishop Vaughan, YG Penllergaer, YG Penyrheol, YGG Bryntawe, Christchurch Primary, Blaenymaes Primary, Penyrheol Comprehensive, Olchfa and YG Tan‑y‑Lan took part, alongside learners from Gower College Swansea.

Pupils from Penyrheol Comprehensive School taking part in Swansea’s Holocaust Memorial Day event.

They were joined by Swansea Council Leader Rob Stewart, the Lord Mayor of Swansea Cheryl Philpott, the Lord Lieutenant of West Glamorgan Louise Fleet, and representatives from Swansea’s multi‑faith communities.

Norma Glass MBE, a leading figure in Swansea’s Jewish community, closed the ceremony.

The Lord Mayor of Swansea, Cllr Cheryl Philpott, with Canon Phillip Gwynn at the Guildhall ceremony.
(Image: Swansea Council)Khushbu Agrawal, Rocio Cifuentes, Norma Glass MBE, Lord Lieutenant Louise Fleet and Shaz Abedean at the Swansea.com stadium event.
(Image: Swansea Council)

Cllr Stewart said the day remained a vital moment of reflection:

“January 27 marks the day in 1945 when Auschwitz, the Nazi death camp in Poland, was liberated and the remaining prisoners set free.

“Holocaust Memorial Day has become an occasion of remembrance for all those who have suffered and died due to acts of genocide.

“Today’s theme about bridging generations is about ensuring that we continue to remember, commemorate and commit to preventing genocide for the good of our children and their children.

“As those with direct experience of surviving the reality of genocide pass on, it’s our duty not to forget.

“It is through events such as today and the very moving and thought‑provoking contributions from our schools that we challenge ourselves to stand up against such tyranny.”

#BishopVaughanCatholicSchool #BlaenymaesPrimarySchool #ChristchurchPrimarySchool #CllrCherylPhilpott #CllrRobStewart #GowerCollegeSwansea #holocaustMemorialDay #JewishCommunity #LordLieutenant #LordMayorOfSwansea #LouiseFleetJP #NormaGlassMBE #Olchfa #PenllergaerPrimarySchool #PenyrheolComprehensiveSchool #PenyrheolPrimarySchool #Swansea #YsgolGymraegBryntawe #YsgolTanYLan