Armed forces covenant

Community and armed forces representatives met at Dover Castle today to sign an important Community Covenant.

Cllr Paul Watkins, Leader of Dover District Council and Lt Col Andrew Hodkinson, Chief of Staff, 2 (SE) Brigade, the Army's HQ in the South East, signed the Armed Forces Community Covenant, underlining the strong bonds that exist between Dover District and the military.

The covenant encourages communities across Dover District to support the service community in their area and promote understanding and awareness among the public of issues affecting the armed forces community.

Representatives of community and armed forces organisations were also invited to sign the covenant at the ceremony, including the Royal British Legion, SSAFA Forces Help, Kent County Council, Dover District Community Safety Partnership, English Heritage, East Kent Services/Gateway, and East Kent Housing.

Organisations, community groups and individuals across Dover District are also being encouraged to sign the covenant via the DDC website - for more information see www.dover.gov.uk/community.

Dover has strong connections with the military and was a garrison town for many years with soldiers based at Connaught and Old Park Barracks. Dover Castle remains the official residence of the most senior military officer in the south east, who since 1861 has also held the role of Deputy Constable of Dover Castle. Brigadier Simon Wolsey OBE is the current incumbent as the commanding officer of 2 (South East) Brigade, based at Shorncliffe Barracks in Folkestone.

Cllr Paul Watkins, Leader of Dover District Council said: "I am proud to be signing the Armed Forces Community Covenant underlining the high regard with which people in Dover District hold our armed forces. Recent events have served to highlight the great sacrifices our military personnel take on the country's behalf. The district is proud of its connections with the armed forces and today's signing ensures we will go on supporting the armed forces and responding to the needs of the wider armed forces community, including serving personnel and their families, veterans, reservists and cadets."

Lt Col Andrew Hodkinson, said: "The Armed Forces and their historic forbears have been integral to the fabric of Dover since the town's inception and as we now look to the future this covenant marks a commitment to ensuring our continued place in the community."