Sea cadets gear up for military tattoo (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Sea cadets gear up for military tattoo

1:07pm Thursday 22nd February 2007 in News

A MILITARY-style tattoo is to take place at Cheltenham Racecourse with cadets from Tewkesbury to the Vale set to benefit.

The Falklands plus 25 Tattoo is being staged to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the ceasefire in the South Atlantic and the end of the Falklands War.

Cheltenham Racecourse will host the occasion on Saturday, June 23 and will see ongoing arena events, static exhibitions and many other attractions, with the day terminating in a parade of colours and standards.

A service of remembrance for those who didn't make it home and ceremonial evening colours with the band of HM Life Guards will also entertain the visiting crowds.

A number of bands and arena events are lined up for the day and the proceeds will be channelled into the Severn Marine Society and Sea Cadet Association.

Former Navy man of many years' service, Ted Keeper, from Bishop's Cleeve, is on the committee organising the event and says preparations are going very well at present.

He said: "We hope to attract around 10,000 people and we have full use of the racecourse which is a wonderful venue.

"We have six bands coming along as well as a flyover by the Red Arrows and some heli-copters. We also hope to have a visit from a member of the Royal family and the wheels are already in motion to enable that to happen."

He added: "Many fundraisers take place during the year both formally with mess dinners and informally, with such things as band concerts, boot sales and the like, but the tattoo is the largest event tackled to date."