DIGNITARIES from Swindon and Wiltshire signed a commitment to supporting armed forces personnel and their families around the borough.

Representatives from the council, army, health bodies and education gathered in the rose garden outside the local authority's Euclid Street offices to sign the Armed Forces Covenant.

Mayor Garry Perkins introduced and closed the short ceremony while dressed in full mayoral garb.

He said: "This is not just a piece of paper, it's a way of showing respect for our armed forces. It's a very important day for Swindon,"

Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire Sarah Troughton said: "Swindon has a long track record with the armed forces, going back to 1914 when 10 blasts from the Swindon Works hooter signalled the start of the war.

"GWR built 12 ambulance trains which were essential to the war effort so Swindon became a target for bombing raids and the hooter was used as an air raid siren."

First to put pen to paper were council leader David Renard and Colonel Neville Holmes MBE, Commander South West.

Col Holmes said: "It's a great honour to be with you all today, thank you for pulling this together, it's a real sign of hope that we are all here in person, and it's a great privilege to sign this.

"I hope this builds on the already-strong relationship we have with Swindon and the people who live here."

Coun Renard said: "We recognise that when people leave the armed forces, they face great challenges - housing is a big one, but they could be across so many other aspects of life that many of us take for granted, with health or educational implications.

"This is a living document and it's something we have to put into practice in order to support veterand who have contributed so much towards protecting our way of life."

Coun Matthew Courtliff spoke briefly as the council's member champion for the armed forces.

He said: "As well as the professional pride I fell, there is also personal pride as members of my family have served in on the frontlines in Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan.

"Swindon is such a special place for the armed forces community and I'm adamant that we protect

Mr Courtliff told the Adver beforehand: "A lot of work has gone into updating the covenant and it's nice to get it all formalised.

"Swindon has a lot of links to the armed forces and a lot of people move to the area after their service is completed."

Swindon Voluntary Action director Pam Webb, director of nursing and quality at the region's clinical commissioning group Gill May, Great Western Hospital exec Claire Thompson, and Business West's Swindon and Wiltshire Initiative director Ian Larrard signed the covenant.

This proved to be the third time lucky for the signing as the council had tried to arrange it on two previous occasions last year but had to call both off due to stricter pandemic restrictions.