Page Park will host two festivals on consecutive weekends in June
Armed Forces Day
SOUTH Gloucestershire Armed Forces Day will return to Staple Hill on June 20.
The event, which celebrates past, present and future military service personnel, attracted around 2,000 visitors to Page Park last summer.
This year’s event promises more attractions, including a historical re-enactment with cannon and musket firing, drill displays and demonstrations.
Organisers describe it as “a vibrant day of celebration, commemoration and entertainment, bringing together the local community to honour the service and sacrifice of the Armed Forces past, present and future”.
The day will begin at 10.30am with a parade through Staple Hill High Street and Broad Street to the park, led by the Bath Royal Air Force Cadet Band.
It is set to include motorbike riders, military vehicles, veterans and cadets from across the region.
Following the parade, the programme of events will continue in Page Park, with live music, arena displays and interactive attractions.
Organising committee chair Ian Campbell said: “One of the highlights of the day will be an exciting historical re-enactment featuring firing cannons and muskets, alongside precision drill displays and military demonstrations that showcase both history and modern service traditions.
“Families will be able to explore military vehicles up close, meet veterans and cadet organisations, browse a wide variety of stalls from local traders and charities, and enjoy food, refreshments and entertainment across both the park and Staple Hill High Street.
“The event is also a fantastic opportunity to support local independent businesses and community organisations, helping to showcase everything Staple Hill and the surrounding area has to offer.”
Visitors are encouraged to walk to the event where possible or make use of public transport to help reduce congestion on the day.
Bus operator First is offering free travel to the park, which is on the 7, 49 and 49x bus routes, for serving Armed Forces personnel and veterans, to make it easier for them to attend the celebrations.
Ian said: “The event will also include a free Armed Forces VIP reception for serving personnel and veterans, recognising their dedication and contribution.
“In addition, a special reception will be held for the children of those currently serving, celebrating the important role military families play in supporting service life.
“Organisers are encouraging residents from across South Gloucestershire and beyond to come along, wave their flags and join in a day designed to celebrate community spirit, remembrance and pride in the Armed Forces.”
The event is free to attend and runs until 4pm.
For more information visit www.southglosafd.com.
Celebrate With Me
A CELEBRATION of global culture and communities will return to Page Park on June 27.
Celebrate With Me is part of the Bristol Refugee Festival and will follow a series of Refugee Week events elsewhere.
The free family-friendly event includes music and dance displays, with plenty of chances to join in.
It was first held at Page Park in 2022 and continued there for the next two years before moving to Kingswood Park last year.
Now the event, which is described as a “vibrant celebration of cultural diversity and community spirit” and is organised by the park’s Bean Tree Café and charity Movema, is back in Staple Hill.
Movema co-chief executive Penny Caffrey said: “The event will feature a lively programme of global music and dance performances, hands-on craft activities, yoga sessions, international food stalls and an artisan market.
“Music and dance connect people regardless of ethnicity, religion or background, which is why we want to create this day of unity and shared experiences.
“Following the success of previous years, local feedback has highlighted the importance of creating inclusive spaces where resettled people feel welcomed and connected within their neighbourhood.
“This year’s festival continues to build on that vision, offering opportunities for meaningful interaction, shared experiences and celebration.”
Melody Beard of the Bean Tree Café said: “We hope that ‘Celebrate With Me’ can help reduce loneliness and isolation by offering resettled people the opportunity to get to know their neighbours.
“We want Page Park to be seen as a hub that brings people together, supporting the theme of this year’s Refugee Week, ‘Courage’.”
The event runs from 11am-4pm and the line-up includes performances and workshops from Kozachky Ukrainian Choir, Rhythms of Peru, the Bristol Griot, playing music from Senegal, and Eastern European music from the Kitchen Kapelye Klezmer Band.
The event is supported by South Gloucestershire Council, South Gloucestershire Race Equality Network (SGREN), SGS College and the Friends of Page Park.
It follows a series of events for the Bristol Refugee Festival 2026, which takes place from June 6-21, and the worldwide Refugee Week, which is described as “the world’s largest arts and culture festival” and celebrates the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking asylum to societies across the world.
Bristol Refugee Festival also runs Celebrating Sanctuary events all year round.
For more information on Celebrate With Me, visit tinyurl.com/7f37ntwf.