Proud Preston in historic military partnership

Posted 27 January 2012 at 10:39

Monday 30th January 2012 marks a new beginning in Preston’s proud links with the UK’s armed forces.

Signing an historic ‘military covenant’ Preston joins an elite band of towns and cities in the UK to agree to a new partnership and relationship with the military.

Already proud of its strong military connections and links, this covenant will define a new way forward for Preston to assist people serving or who have served their country and to celebrate the city’s military connections.

Welcoming the signing in Preston of this historic agreement, Councillor David Borrow, lead Councillor for the armed forces said:

“This is an historic moment for the city. Preston is deeply proud of all its links with the military and it makes me very proud that the city is able to sign up to this new, military covenant.

“It’s about building new alliances and partnerships with service personnel and veterans. We recognise the sacrifice people make when serving their country and in Preston we are rightly proud of our armed forces.

“Essentially this covenant is about ensuring that practical help gets to those people either serving or have served. It’s also about building links between the military and civilian community so that people can quickly and easily access services as well as fostering a better understanding across all our communities.

“We are looking forward to working closely with our local military contacts and veterans associations to take this military covenant forward in Preston."

The most senior soldier in the North West, Brigadier Nick Fitzgerald, Commander of 42 (North West) Brigade, will be signing on behalf of the military. He said:

“Preston has always been a Service-friendly place. The local community has a strong record of supporting its local personnel, both past and present, and I’m sure that same sense of welcome will be extended to those service personnel yet to return here from wherever in the world their Service has taken them. That’s why we in the military are extremely proud to be part of the Preston Community Covenant.

“This is an enormously important document which represents a commitment to cement and build on the support which those in military service, those who have now left service and the families of both groups receive. But I hope it will also promote a better understanding and awareness amongst members of the public of the issues that affect the Service community, and that it will encourage the people of Preston to develop an even stronger relationship with those in the city who are part of the wider military family.”

Background information

• Preston is proud of its military connections. Many people from the city serve in the armed forces and Preston is also home to Fulwood Barracks. The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment and the Royal King’s Hussars have freedom of the city. Preston also has an affiliation with 45 Squadron RAF Benson.
• The military covenant provides a greater working relationship between the council, other public sector bodies, local communities and the military. This includes a new one stop shop to help current and ex-service personnel that is due to open in Preston by April 2012. Volunteers are being sought to help manage this one stop shop.
• Work will be undertaken to assist service personnel and their families in education, skills and employment, housing, local environment and health and wellbeing. The covenant will also see a strengthening of Preston's military connections and celebrations, particularly important during 2012 Preston Guild year.
• The covenant will also see closer working with veterans associations to develop a one stop shop to support armed forces personnel and encouraging local businesses to support military personnel.