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The Manc -
22nd January 2020
The Manc -
22nd January 2020 What's On
Manchester reveals plans to ‘recognise and celebrate’ Armed Forces Day 2026
Emily Sergeant
Plans to mark Armed Forces Day 2026 in Manchester next month have been revealed.
As the country prepares to honour Armed Forces Day – which is taking place this year on Saturday 27 June – and show support for those who make up the Armed Forces community across the country, Manchester has revealed how our city will mark the annual event.
Armed Forces Day sees Brits commemorate and celebrate those who are currently serving troops, their families, serving reservists, veterans, and cadets.
Manchester will also be paying tribute to the hundreds who have ‘fearlessly served’.
The day will begin in St Peter’s Square with a short ceremonial moment of reflection, led by Armed Forces personnel, offering those in attendance a chance to pause, remember service and sacrifice, and honour those who protect our freedoms.
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Manchester will be celebrating Armed Forces Day on Saturday 27 June.
— Manchester City Council (@ManCityCouncil) May 27, 2026
Join us, 11am – 4pm, in St Peter’s Square for a day of free activities. https://t.co/8xyoz79GqM #ArmedForcesDay #ArmedForcesWeek pic.twitter.com/mHND0m4F3B
The event will be attended by the Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester and the Lord Mayor of Manchester, marking the city’s official tribute to the Armed Forces.
There will be live music throughout the day, with bands and performers.
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On the day, there’ll also be a pop‑up military museum with artefacts, uniforms, and stories from across the services, as well as military vehicle displays, live demonstrations and performances, and a whole host of other family‑friendly activities and interactive displays to make the most of.
Visitors can also visit the dedicated armed forces display inside Manchester Central Library if they would like to learn more.
Read more:
- What’s the story of the iconic soldiers statue in front of Manchester Piccadilly station?
- Watch as one of Manchester’s most iconic landmarks turned into a ‘living statue’
- Major ‘plan ahead’ travel warning issued for this weekend ahead of Great Manchester Run
Armed Forces Day 2026 takes place on Saturday 27 June, with commemorations to begin in Manchester city centre from 11am.
It’s a free event open to everyone, offering a chance to learn more about the Armed Forces, meet those who serve, and show your support.
Featured Image – Manchester City Council
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Manc actor Max Beesley shares touching moment with his dad after latest Hollywood role
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester-born actor Max Beesley has shared a heartwarming story from when he first got into acting, not to mention how he tried to repay the support since day one by his biggest fan, his dad, more than three decades later.
A familiar face in British film and television over the years, the now fully fledged Manc movie star has booked some of the biggest gigs of his career of late.
Having gone from appearing in UK classics like Looking For Eric and landing parts in the Sky drama Jamestown back in 2019, to appearing in Guy Ritchie’s The Gentlemen TV series and more recently Netflix’s Hijack with Idris Elba, he’s becoming a more recognisable face not just here in the North.
But there was a time when becoming a full-time actor was just a pie in the sky dream of a Burnage boy who fell in love with films – all thanks to his father’s fantastic taste in movies…
Right, who’s cutting onions?…
As the now 55-year-old actor wrote on social media: “1992. South Manchester. I watched a film, turned to my dad, and told him I was going to New York to become an actor. No agent. No contacts.
Just a flight and a plan. He didn’t laugh. He said, ‘Go for it, son.’ Thirty-four years later, he came to the Jack Ryan set. Best mate I’ve ever had.”
He also went on to credit another key name in the caption, adding, “The coach who helped me then and still today is the queen of acting, the best in the business in my opinion: Sheila Nieves Gray. Life-changing techniques and tools. I love you too, Sheila.”
Gray – who has been running an acting school from NYC since 1990 – was evidently one of the first people Max met when he arrived in the States, and clearly had a huge impact on his professional life.
You just have to love stories like this; we still remember watching shows and thinking he was a standout.
After working with her all that time ago, his career has been on a gradual climb ever since, and while you could argue he’s had multiple ‘breakout’ roles, his progression feels very much like slow and steady wins the race; good things come to those who wait, and all that.
As for his dad, Maxton Beesley Sr., it sounds like he couldn’t have been named after and raised by a more supportive parental figure than any stereotypical, model dad you’ll see in the movies.
Having also starred in the second Gentlemen spin-off flick, Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre (starring Jason Statham, Hugh Grant, Aubrey Plaza and more), this latest project is the second feature-length adaptation of an existing streaming service hit, with John Krasinski’s Jack Ryan now on the big screen.
You can see the trailer for Jack Ryan: Ghost War down below.
Read more:
- Musical crowdwork comedian Morgan Jay is coming to Manchester on biggest-ever UK tour
- A special UK exclusive screening of The Mandalorian and Grogu is taking place at Printworks
- Beloved Stockport-born presenter Judith Chalmers dead at 90
For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.
Featured Images — Max Beesley (screenshot via Instagram)/Amazon Prime Video (still)
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