Military equipment will not be part of this year’s Armed Forces Day celebrations in York, following a decision by City of York Council, rumoured to be in fear of protests.
The move has prompted concern among members of the defence community, although the council insists the day will continue to honour the service of Armed Forces personnel as planned.
Alfie, Hope all is well. Please keep anonymous.
Armed Forces Day in York. No military presence as the council doesn’t want any kit or equipment there for fear of triggering a protest.
The council are happy to have Armed Forces Day and Armed Forces Covenant on all of their…
— fill your boots (@MilitaryBanter) July 2, 2025
The issue came to wider attention after a message was shared by the Fill Your Boots UK Twitter account. The message, from someone connected with the event, claimed that while the council publicly supports the Armed Forces Covenant, it had decided not to permit military kit or equipment at the event due to fears it could trigger protests. The UK Defence Journal followed up on the matter and sought a formal response from the council.
In response, Council Leader Cllr Claire Douglas told the UK Defence Journal.
“We’re a proud signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant and continue to support serving personnel, veterans, and their families year-round. We’re honoured to have received the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award for our support of York’s armed forces community.
“During Armed Forces Day in York, we recognise all who serve and have served. This year we encourage people to explore a family-friendly trail of sites with military connections around York, and to take advantage of discounts and offers from supportive businesses in the city.
“With our military partners, we carefully considered residents’ concerns and decided that the day will go ahead as planned, with the only change being no military equipment on show. This decision in no way diminishes how seriously we take Armed Forces Day and our deep respect and commitment to those who serve and have served. We look forward to a fantastic day.”
While the council did not specify what the “residents’ concerns” were, some individuals connected to the event have suggested that fears over public protest may have played a role. The UK Defence Journal cannot independently verify that claim.
One local soldier currently based in the region told us the decision was disappointing and appeared to confirm what many in uniform had suspected. “We were told the kit wasn’t welcome this year because of fears it would spark protest. It’s frustrating, especially when Armed Forces Day is meant to be a chance for the public to see what we do and engage with us directly. This is a ban by any other name.”
York’s event will proceed without the inclusion of military hardware, but with other planned activities and civic recognition still in place.
Absolutely bloody disgusting and a pathetic showing from the council. It shows an fundemantal disrespect to the forces supposedly honoured that day
Exercise the Freedom to March through the City with bayonets fixed. I bet the Army has the freedom.
Yes I’m pretty sure the military can do what it wishes on the King’s highway. It’s orders come from the crown which in effect means the prime minister. Are we expecting the PM to hammer home the authority of the Government?
Worried about protests? Really? More likely that this LIb/Lab bunch are worried about woke combinations and diversity numbers. An absolute disgrace. They should be ashamed of themselves.
You mean be ashamed of something you just totally made up. Now that would be woke,
A fine example of the poison spreading within this country.
Were there a handful of complaints, or those offended?
So the majority have to bow to the wish of the few?
The Army are scheduled to be pulling out of one of their barracks in York. Maybe they should pull out of both so the council can celebrate properly or then bemoan the job losses.
I’ll be interested to see the local MPs response or whether it is covered by the BBC.
Do military aircraft using the airspace above offend as well?
Maybe the military should base some assets at Leeming!
Well said Daniele
Lol.
“That’s the spirit” It’s good to voice concerns here, maybe we should get a bus trip organised to show our profound disgust face to face ?
“Actions speak louder than words”.
I’d bet no actual complaints; they’re just too worried about potential complaints.
“So the majority have to bow to the wish of the few?”
A very loud and vocal few who use infantile tactics/toddler tantrums and use emotive labels (agree with me/my view or you are racist/fascist …*ist etc) to shame their opponents into, apologising /caving into their demands.
Unfortunately, this tactic appears to work, because we all fear being negatively labeled on social media
Hi M8 It’s BS, York is a Garrison City and this is social media garbage. If you want to check out the truth go onto the City Of York Council website and search on Armed Forces Day.
Far from banning the forces they really are going for it, and yes the Queens own Yeomanry are doing a display including a Jackal, weapons, kit the lot.
Hi mate.
I shall look, if true that is a relief.
Indeed, a Garrison town, as I mentioned, Imphal, due to close, and Strensall is not far away.
No one is venting about banning the forces mate, that is not what the article says.
It says the council has banned their equipment.
That is what I for one am commenting about, as the Armed Forces Day I went to had the people and the kit. You can have one without the other, but it is a bit limp.
Although on the face of it this seems like a pretty timid decision by the council, I wonder whether its entirely a bad thing, and whether there might not be an opportunity here. I think there’s a wider discussion to be had about whether the armed forces effectively hide behind the kit when it comes to really engaging with the public. I don’t mean that literally, of course, or even on an individual level, just that the focus on weapons, vehicles and technology may get in the way of people really engaging with what its like to be in the services, and with the people who choose it. The endless jargon and acronyms are perhaps another barrier to genuine public understanding. Although I’m a spod and love seeing all the kit (and counting down to RIAT in a fortnight!), I’m aware there are a lot of people who don’t feel about it as I do, but who might respond to a more people-centred approach.
I get the impression, I may be wrong, that a lot of recruits join to “blow shit up” fire “bigger and better guns” and get hands on nifty kit.
If one takes that kit away during to the usual PC mustn’t offend rule, where does it leave recruitment.
I know it is meant to be a celebration of pur military, but its hands on chance to see the tools.
As absurd as an Airshow without jets as someone says they’re top loud.
A lot of recruits do join up for that reason, I’m sure, especially to the combat arms. But how many of them actually get to do that?! I guess I’m questioning whether there’s a bit of a blind spot here. We have a military that increasingly identifies itself with very high technology (and I suspect uses this to deflect attention away from its deficit of personnel). What does this mean for recruiting? How are the forces going to appeal to people who don’t have a tech fixation? What does it mean for the public’s understanding of the military, what its roles are, and how it performs them? If they don’t understand, then how can they support it properly, either personally or politically? For all of us on this board, Armed Forces Day is obviously preaching to the choir, but how does it reaches the parts of society (and I don’t mean particular ethnic groups) who don’t have an innate interest or a personal connection? Concentrating on the more human aspects of service life – the comradeship, courage, belonging, ambition etc – a bit more might not go amiss.
My impression from the council statement is that this move is less about offending the mythical PC mob, and more about avoiding the attentions of protestors in the style of Palestine Action, but I could be wrong. I understand they want to avoid any unpleasantness, but its still pusillanimous.
At best it is a gross over reaction, a just in case.
So protesters in effect win without even actually protesting.
I remember attending Army Firepower demo at Larkhill back in the day. There were protesters all around the Amesbury roundabout on the 303.
The event carried on, lots of bangs were had, AS90s fired, Chinooks arrived with 105mm underslung, and Warriors and Tanks moved on an objective, after Jaguars had softened it up with rockets.
Awesome display and recruitment display too.
Despite what those people with the placards wanted.
This measure will have been inspired by the desire to maintain ‘community cohesion’. To parody the famous poem ‘ … which you do not have’.
👍
The BBC have learned their lesson the bands will have a 5 minute broadcast delay..
Says it all about the state of this country. Ashamed to be British with these Woke sick so called leaders making such pathetic excuses. Why o why do we bother at all baring arms to defend them???????
Makes you wonder at times what we are defending.
TBH, I always hated Armed Forces Day – it was a great way to lose another weekend with no TOIL. I was pretty cynical though.
I also see it as another option regards recruitment.
The military hiding, or being hidden for the benefit of those who are offended or sensitive to it, will not help.
Public exposure is good, as are local bases in an area so the military is seen and in the public eye.
M8 it’s total X BS !
As you said, mate. I looked.
I also see this in UKDJs own article.
“In response, Council Leader Cllr Claire Douglas told the UK Defence Journal….”“With our military partners, we carefully considered residents’ concerns and decided that the day will go ahead as planned, with the only change being no military equipment on show. This decision in no way diminishes how seriously we take Armed Forces Day and our deep respect and commitment to those who serve and have served. We look forward to a fantastic day.”
????
So has UKDJ put those comments in her mouth? I highly doubt it.
Never got Toil and we were paid 7 days a week. But yes the Miltiary should be in the public eye at every oppertunity especially when they are so small so few see them day to day.
Toil why would you get that you were paid seven days a week 24hrs a day
Why would you get POTL? Maybe the goodwill bank?
Anyway, I think you missed the tongue in my cheek
OK what’s potl
Post Operational Tour Leave – you get about 5 weeks after 6 months on tour. But you still get paid 24/7…
We used to call it post tour leave
Not sure how they are celebrating Armed Forces Day without any, you know, Armed Forces.
Very good Question? How are they?
Just gonna write free Palestine on the walls so the Muslim community will not hate us.. .problem is they do anyway .
April fools? Or just woke fools?
More ammunition for Reform – frankly it’s hard to argue with them recently.
It’s okay, our town council (un-named) refused to allow the display of bunting or a parade or street food on the D-Day celebrations. It all adds fuel to the fire.
Why not name them?
Horncastle, and because someone in the town council deemed it so – against all popular demand by locals to be allowed to ‘do something’.
Careful….apparently we are all “right wing” to care about stuff like that and should all keep our mouths shut.
BTW, I agree with you.
Went to Horncastle to the registrar.
And yet here In Northern Ireland were you might think there would be some resistance to the idea there was a full display and all sorts including the RedArrows at Newtownards airfield🙄👌
Belfast military tattoo to come in September as well👍
Oh Great, a small minority of rabid activists have this country cowering in fear.
The government needs to grow a pair ….
York should now be Black Listed and yes role on REFORM taking over and lets get the UK back to be a country for the majority not the afflicted.
OK I’m actually surprised this has been published without someone verifying it with either the council or local press.
As far as I can see this is an X bit of media BS and right up there with Orson Welles Radio Broadcast of “War of the Worlds” which millions of Yanks thought was real.
York is a Garrison Town (City) and very pro Veterans.
For the Truth I suggest everyone engages a bit of sense and go onto the City of York Council Website put in Armed Forces Day and read what they are actually doing, it’s 180 degrees the opposite. Queens Own Yeomanry are taking part in uniform with kit, weapons and vehicles, so are the Sea Cadets, a trail for kids to go and see memorials and the military museum. In fact it’s a great big York event on Saturday.
“With our military partners, we carefully considered residents’ concerns and decided that the day will go ahead as planned, with the only change being no military equipment on show. This decision in no way diminishes how seriously we take Armed Forces Day and our deep respect and commitment to those who serve and have served. We look forward to a fantastic day.”
Quote by a Claire Douglas from the council, as told to the UKDJ.
??
Good Advice.
I trust UKDJ, but maybe this time they got caught out.
So I see they have QOY, a local reserve Regiment display with Jackal, Coyote ( if they have any ) and their individual kit.
Yorkshire UAS are there.
The article did not talk of “banning the forces” it mentioned a decision not to have their equipment with them.
Compare then to the Armed Forces Day I went to in Stoke Park, Guildford, Surrey, a decade ago.
All Army Corps and Regiments represented, stalls for all, with serving members on hand to talk to the public about the kit they use, which was on hand.
Including to me, when I had a most enjoyable conversation with a rather bemused member of the Light Cavalry discussing Jackal. He wasn’t impressed with it either. The chaps on the RA stand who worked with MLRS were also befuddled when I was asking about Exactor ( which was not present.)
Numerous other armoured vehicles on display, helicopters from all 3 services landing. Plus the usual Ceremonial displays, White Hats, marches, and so on.
Armed Forces with the equipment they use.
I’d be interested to see the truth on this one…
Pathetic, imagine if they came out and banned LGBT pride parades.
The story is not accurate. I suggest that UKDJ stop using Twitter as a source. Just like the story on the Iran/Scots nationalists nonsense.
Most of my lads and lassies hated Armed Forces Day. They would have rather got the day off.
But I guess nothing gets the non-military right wing raging more than some rubbish about something getting “banned”.
I think the issue is posters, including me, trust UKDJ as a source. It has received awards for the quality of its reporting.
Then in the article, we have, with a name quoted:
“The UK Defence Journal followed up on the matter and sought a formal response from the council.
In response, Council Leader Cllr Claire Douglas told the UK Defence Journal.
“With our military partners, we carefully considered residents’ concerns and decided that the day will go ahead as planned, with the only change being no military equipment on show. This decision in no way diminishes how seriously we take Armed Forces Day and our deep respect and commitment to those who serve and have served. We look forward to a fantastic day.”
So why would anyone reading that immediately dismiss it as anything other than genuine? UKDJ quoted a councillor, not an anonymous X feed in the follow up.
Why the right wing? If people are concerned about what they read, and raise issues or comments doesn’t make them right wing. Certainly if they are not in the job then they have to rely on such sources and comment on them. As an aside my blokes used to love it, doing a bit of flash stuff in front of the missus and kids and locals who came to watch! But I suppose if leave and days off are the priority then it says a lot about your people. However if it was a dicking to stag on or some shite which is for the Officers or SNCOs mess, then yes, they hated it.
Did you see Sultana is clearing off with Corbyn to form a new far left party?
Brilliant. Splits the lefts vote. Let all the far left fruitcakes who are anti sematic, and support Hamas, go to one place.
Might make Labour a more attractive place.
Agreed and I have seen that! Get the 10% leftie losers on one party, old Corbyn will get all the Palestinian Action/Hamas lovers/Labour and Independents who are voted in due to sectarianism and not policy, the rabid Antifa clowns, white middle class uni students called Tarquin and Patricia, and the Glastonbury balloon snorters! I wonder if George “take the cash from any regime” Galloway will join or will his ego negate that! Either way put all the rabid fools in one group and maybe try to get the remaining Labour Party back on at least some sort of even keel! Alas Starmer will need to go, and knocked up at 16 Rayner too, maybe Wes Streating in a couple of years for top job?
I loved Ceremonials and would volunteer- took a lot of effort, buy your own kit but when Secretary of State for Defence, Malcolm Rifkind stepped out of his car, looked me up and down wearing Blues as I saluted, and asked, totally shocked, “Surely, you are not London District!?” “No, Sir.” That one moment of recognition and the fact, I’m stonking.
Cue, Tina Turner… 😉
Reap and sow from our spineless leaders. Can’t remember a leader of ours that had a spine
I can’t believe what I’m reading…WTF
Surely this is a joke?
Yet they are happy to have formations of Roman troops walk around with full kit on display and vikings. Unless they were carrying plastic swords and spears?
In terms of reenactment!
York Council hope your ashamed of yourselves . In fact who’s ever in charge resign , this shows no Respect for all our men & women of our forces in uniform pasted and presence . Oh who country is it do York Council know what this is 🇬🇧
Is 2 Div based there? Strensall still around?
Move 2 Div over to Preston and let York feel the protest of losing military spending power – all they understand; oh, and with the Service homes that become available, stick in the asylum seekers. Disgusting behaviour.
2 Div long gone.
1 Div now, with 2 Sig Reg. The Divisional Signals Regiment.
Yes, Strensall still used by the RAMC.
Agree on the rest.
York surrounded by a City Wall, has a Castle, 100’s of years of Military History….Lefty Bloody Council, I thought we had moved away from that, I remember the days Manchester Council spent £1000’s on sign’s telling “Radiation” Manchester was a Nuclear Free Zone, just to please the CND brigade….
What a joy those buggers were at HMS Neptune.
OK. I’m wrong, but, just remove any military footprint from York.