Plymouth Salutes Military Families with Powerful Public Art Display

By
Louis Chadwick
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Future Fit Junior Field Gun Team

Plymouth is a city intrinsically linked with its rich military heritage and Drake Circus is poised to host a vibrant Armed Forces Week 2025 celebration.

From Monday, June 23rd to Sunday, June 29th alongside the traditional commemorations this year’s focus shines brightly on the contributions of the youngest members of military families and the power of community expression.

Junior Field Gun Installation at Drake Circus

At the heart of this week-long tribute are the compelling and heartfelt contributions from local schoolchildren. In a unique collaboration with Military Kids Club Heroes and Future Fit Junior Field Gun, dozens of children from forces families have channelled their experiences into art, decorating real Junior Field Gun wheels.

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Future Fit Junior Field Gun team in action.

KEY DATES

  • Thursday, June 26th, 2025: Prize-giving ceremony for the Junior Field Gun wheel design competition.
  • Thursday, June 26th, 2025, 4:30 PM: Free public performance by Theatre Royal Plymouth’s Armed Forces Choir at Old Town Square.
  • Saturday, June 28th, 2025: Plymouth Armed Forces Day on the Hoe.

Each wheel serves as a poignant canvas, reflecting the theme of “Life in a Forces Family.” These powerful installations will be prominently displayed on the first floor of Drake Circus, near the car park exit on Level 1, throughout the week.

The culmination of this creative endeavour will be a special prize-giving ceremony for the most impactful design on Thursday, June 26th.

Further illustrating their perspectives, individual 2D artworks by the artists offer intimate glimpses into military family life in Plymouth and will be showcased across the centre’s social media channels.

The spirit of community extends further with a public call-out for personal messages of thanks to service personnel, veterans, and military families. A selection of these messages will be digitally displayed on screens across the centre, creating a collective expression of gratitude.

Submissions are encouraged via direct message on Drake Circus’s social media channels.

Plymouth Armed Forces Choir

A significant highlight will be the free public performance by Theatre Royal Plymouth’s Armed Forces Choir. Scheduled for 4:30 PM on Thursday, June 26th, at Old Town Square, this choir is a remarkable assembly of veterans, serving personnel, and their families.

As part of Theatre Royal Plymouth’s ‘Our Space’ programme, and supported by the Welsh National Opera, their performance promises to be a moving and unifying experience.

The choir’s unique composition underscores the profound connection between music and community, providing a powerful platform for shared experiences and a sense of belonging for those who have served and their loved ones. Their collective voices will undoubtedly resonate as a testament to resilience, camaraderie, and the enduring spirit of Plymouth’s military community.

Drake Circus Lights

Symbolizing the city’s support, the exterior of Drake Circus will be vibrantly illuminated in red, white, and blue nightly throughout the week, creating a striking visual tribute visible across Plymouth city centre.

Greg Lumley, Centre Director at Drake Circus, underscored the local significance:

“Plymouth has one of the UK’s most significant military communities, and we wanted to mark Armed Forces Week with something that puts local military families and young people at the heart of the story.” 
“This is a city where service life touches thousands of families – and we hope our contribution to Armed Forces Week gives local people the chance to pause, connect, and feel proud of what Plymouth stands for.”

These events at Drake Circus are a key component of Plymouth’s wider Armed Forces Day programme, culminating in the major celebration on the Hoe on Saturday, June 28th.

For more information, visit www.drakecircus.com or follow @DrakeCircus on social media.

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