Take your place in historic picture - and ensure our pride in Portsmouth can be seen from space!
People urged to show support for Armed Forces Day and take part in unique Portsmouth100 satellite photoshoot
Make a note of the time of 11.49am on Saturday, June 20 - and the chance to have your own pride in Portsmouth captured from outer space.
For at that precise moment next weekend an Airbus satellite merrily circumnavigating the Earth will take the opportunity to focus its attention on Southsea Common and take an historic picture as part of the city’s centenary celebration.
Painted on the common will be a giant Portsmouth100 logo - and the call goes out today for as many people as possible to head down to the common and take their place on that logo to be a part in that extra-terrestrial photoshoot. The unique event, arranged between Airbus Space and Defence and Portsmouth City Council with support from The News, forms part of what will be the city’s biggest ever Armed Forces Day.
The News editor in chief Mark Waldron said: ‘This is an incredible opportunity for everybody to head to the common and show their support for our wonderful armed forces while also playing a part in the city’s history.
‘Portsmouth100 has already given us so many special events and much to celebrate and, as we are almost at the half-way stage, this is a perfect way for everybody to have their pride in the city seen from space. In years to come as we look back on this very special year I hope it will be one of those moments when people can say: ‘I was there’.”
Sam Doody, site director at Airbus Space and Defence Portsmouth, added: “This will be a great celebration of Portsmouth’s historic 100 years as a city – and it will be fantastic to capture the moment from space with one of our satellites snapping the occasion. We now just have to hope it will be a cloud-free day.”
The Armed Forces Day is a free event and runs from 10am to 4pm. It will include:
- Air displays including a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight from a pair of Spitfires;
- Royal Navy parachute jump;
- Military parades and displays including veterans, cadets and service personnel
- Helicopters including Navy Wings’ Wasp and Gazelle brought by British Army 6AAC Army Air Corps, along with other military vehicles;
- Motorbikes from Royal British Legion Riders;
- Multiple stalls from cadet groups, veterans, serving military and reserves groups, providing free interactive activities for all the family
- Free children’s activities including a climbing wall provided by City of Portsmouth Scouts
- Field gun competitions for schools and cadet groups
- A paid funfair, food and refreshment stalls
- Live at the Bandstand music stage programmed by the Wedgewood Rooms
- Arts and crafts from Seekers Creates