Council Chair Champions Isle Of Wight Armed Forces Community During Busy Week

The Chair of the Isle of Wight Council has highlighted the Island's links with the Armed Forces following a series of civic engagements.

Councillor Ian Dore, who is also the council's Armed Forces Champion and a former soldier, attended events in Cowes during the 200th anniversary of Cowes Week.

During the week, he met The Princess Royal as part of her programme of engagements in Cowes, which included meeting Royal Navy personnel and attending a reception aboard HMS Severn.

The pair discussed support for veterans and the charities and organisations working with former service personnel.

It was their second meeting in recent months, after Councillor Dore attended The Not Forgotten Veterans' Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in May.

His latest engagements come amid work to strengthen support for the Island's Armed Forces community, including discussions in Westminster about proposals to improve local veterans' services.

Councillor Dore also attended an open evening held by 165 Port and Maritime Regiment RLC Army Reserve in Newport alongside Isle of Wight West MP Richard Quigley.

The Island's Army Reserve presence forms part of 266 Port Squadron and provides opportunities for local people to enter service and gain training and skills.

Councillor Dore said: “It was one of those wonderfully busy weeks which reminds us all just how strong the Island’s links with our Armed Forces really are.

“From the Royal Navy in Cowes and the honour of meeting Her Royal Highness again, through to spending time with our Army Reservists alongside Richard, the common thread is people. Those who serve, those who have served and those who quietly give their time to support them.

“As a former serving soldier, that support is particularly close to my heart. We have some tremendous people and organisations working for our forces community on the Island.

“I want to keep championing them, building those relationships and making sure the Isle of Wight continues to fly the flag proudly for our Armed Forces community.”