MILITARY vehicles will be back in Alton this summer – and this time they won’t just be passing through.

Last year Alton was a major viewing point along the route of the Armed Forces Day Convoy as it headed towards its final destination of Milestones Museum in Basingstoke.

But such was the reception given to the convoy in Alton last year the organisers have decided the 2023 event on June 24 will end at Anstey Park, with the vintage vehicles playing their part in a big party to celebrate the year of King Charles III’s coronation.

The multi-vehicle military convoy will leave Southwick House near Fareham, where the D-Day landings were planned, at 10am and will travel via Wickham and the A31 and A32 to Alton.

It will then go on a tour through the town centre before arriving in Anstey Park at approximately 11.30am to be welcomed to the coronation year event which is being jointly hosted by the convoy organisers and Alton Town Council.

The coronation event will be open between 10am and 4pm and there are plans for a range of entertainment to include the Just Jive Dancers, Odiham Military Wives Choir and the Gordon School Pipe and Drum Band, as well as displays, stalls and activities.

The event is community focused with regional appeal and will celebrate the coronation and the annual Armed Forces Day salute to service personnel and veterans.

The convoy of 60-plus military vehicles, with motorcycle outriders and VIP guests, will add to the profile of this unique occasion. It is being organised and managed by a team of volunteers to support the Poppy Appeal. The Royal British Legion Riders Branch will provide the official convoy escort and all participants are volunteers. The patron is Air Commodore (Rtd) Peter Grinstead OBE FRSA FRAeS.

For more details visit https://commemorativeconvoys.org/ To get involved email [email protected]