Council receives Armed Forces Covenant Silver Award ahead of Armed Forces Day weekend

Cheshire East Council has received the Armed Forces Covenant Silver Award Employer Recognition Scheme ahead of an Armed Forces Day weekend in Crewe, next month.

First launched in 2014, the scheme recognises employer support for the Armed Forces Covenant and defence personnel and encompasses bronze, silver and gold awards for employer organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to defence and the armed forces community, and align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant.

This latest award made by the Ministry of Defence, follows the bronze award which the council received in 2020 and highlights the ongoing commitment the organisation has made to support serving personnel, reservists, veterans, families, cadets, and the wider military community across the borough.

The council is also proud to pay tribute to Armed Forces Day and show support for the armed forces community in the borough at a family friendly weekend event on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 June in Queens Park in Crewe.

The council fully funded the event and joined forces with Crewe and District Military Vehicle Club and Crewe Town Council to organise the weekend with food stalls, military vehicle and Army displays, brass bands and a fun fair.

Councillor Mick Warren, Cheshire East Council’s committee chair for communities, said: “I want to congratulate everyone involved for all of their hard work and dedication in helping to secure this Armed Forces Silver Covenant Award. 

“This latest award is an outstanding achievement and as a former soldier, I am so proud Cheshire East Council continues to show support for our armed forces, as well as providing a much-valued morale boost for all our troops and their families.”

Councillor Ashley Farrall, armed forces champion at Cheshire East Council, said: “I am thrilled we have received the Silver Covenant award.

“As a county and a borough with strong military links, it’s important to ensure our residents who are serving or who have served in our armed forces, along with their families, are treated with the fairness and respect they deserve.”

Richard Stephenson-Evans, Cheshire East Council armed forces support officer, said: “I feel so proud to be able to achieve this award for the council, following my appointment in July 2021 I have worked hard supporting local veteran charities and groups who offer support to our veteran communities and will continue to work hard for the community. 

“Getting this award shows the council’s commitment to our veteran communities and employees within Cheshire East.”

More information on the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme can be found on the government website.