Key Points
- Havering raised the Armed Forces flag outside Havering Town Hall in Romford on Monday 22 June.
- Mayor of Havering, Councillor Maggie Themistocli, led the ceremony.
- The flag-raising marked the start of Armed Forces Week.
- The borough said the event was held to honour serving personnel, veterans, cadets and military families.
- Havering’s annual Armed Forces Day Parade is scheduled for Saturday 27 June.
- The parade will begin at 10.30am at the junction of South Street and Arcade Place.
- The parade will end at Havering Town Hall.
- Elm Site Services is supporting this year’s parade.
- The Mayor said the flag is a visible sign of support for the Armed Forces community.
Romford (East London Times) June 23, 2026 – Havering raised the Armed Forces flag at a ceremony outside Havering Town Hall to begin its Armed Forces Week commemorations. As reported by the borough, the flag-raising was carried out by the Mayor of Havering, Councillor Maggie Themistocli, as a public tribute to the Armed Forces community.
The council said Armed Forces Week is an annual opportunity for communities across the country to recognise those who serve in the Armed Forces, along with veterans, cadets and military families. The ceremony in Romford formed the opening stage of Havering’s local tribute programme.
Why was the flag raised?
As stated by Havering, the flag-raising was intended to pay tribute to the men and women who serve, or have served, the country.
The council said the event was also meant to acknowledge the sacrifice, dedication and courage shown by those in uniform and by their families.
Mayor Maggie Themistocli said the ceremony was “an honour” and described the flag as “a powerful reminder of the vital contribution of our troops.”
She added that the borough’s appreciation for the Armed Forces remains strong and that flying the flag is a visible demonstration of support for servicemen and servicewomen across the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
What did the Mayor say?
In comments released by Havering, Councillor Maggie Themistocli said the borough was recognising
“the sacrifice, dedication and courage shown every day”
by those currently serving, as well as veterans, cadets and service families. She said their commitment to protecting the nation, often “at great personal risk,” should not be forgotten.
The Mayor also said that Havering’s support for the Armed Forces remains strong, and that the flag-raising acts as a public sign of respect for all servicemen and servicewomen in the UK and the Commonwealth.
The council presented the event as both symbolic and civic in nature, linking local participation with the wider national observance.
What happens next?
Havering’s next Armed Forces Week event is its annual Armed Forces Day Parade on Saturday 27 June. The parade is due to start at 10.30am at the junction of South Street and Arcade Place before making its way to Havering Town Hall.
The borough said the parade will include serving personnel, veterans, cadets and Service families. Elm Site Services is supporting this year’s parade.
The event is expected to continue the borough’s formal recognition of the Armed Forces community through a public procession in central Romford.
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Background of the development
Armed Forces Week is an annual national period of remembrance and recognition for service personnel, veterans, cadets and military families.
Local authorities across the UK often mark the week with flag-raising ceremonies, parades and community events.
In Havering, the flag-raising at Town Hall and the upcoming parade form part of that broader tradition. The borough has presented both events as ways to publicly acknowledge military service and to bring residents together in support of the Armed Forces community.
Prediction
For residents, the development is likely to keep attention on community participation in Armed Forces Week and encourage attendance at the parade in Romford.
For serving personnel, veterans and military families, the event may reinforce visible local recognition and maintain Havering’s public show of support.
For local civic groups and supporters, the ceremony and parade could provide another annual opportunity to take part in a borough-wide tribute.
The main practical effect is expected to be increased public awareness of Armed Forces Week and stronger community turnout for the parade on 27 June.
