Armed Forces Day Site Description

Click here for information on Armed Forces Day Landing Page | Armed Forces Day Activities | Armed Forces Plan Your Trip | Armed Forces Day Frequently Asked Questions

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The event site is made up of mainly flat surfaces with a combination of grass areas that may be uneven under foot and flat surfaces on hard concrete with activities situated on both ground types. Wearing comfortable walking shoes or boots is advisable.

The event site is all outdoor and the site location adjacent to the Lough shore means it is often windy which can make it feel colder than inland locations. Please bear this in mind and check weather forecast when preparing for your visit.

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🚫 Site Rules  

For the safety and enjoyment of all attendees: 

❌ No Gazebos or Tents 

❌ No Alcohol 

❌ No BBQs or Open Flames 

❌ No Drones  

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Entrance

• Pedestrian access | Pedestrian access is via the Portaferry Road entrance to Newtownards Airfield 61 Portaferry Rd, Newtownards BT23 8SG and the Comber Road entrance.

Travel via

• Park and Ride former NIE Site, 31 Balloo Road Bangor BT19 7TN 
• Free Event Shuttle Bus service will operate from Bangor Translink Bus and Train station and Dunlady Park and Ride, Dundonald, from a bus stop beside Lidl.  

Buses will drop off at the Event Site at Newtownards Airfield, via the Portaferry Road entrance - 61 Portaferry Rd, Newtownards BT23 8SG

Public Transport 

Normal scheduled public transport services will be in operation on the event day.

The nearest bus station is in the centre of Newtownards, 33 Regent Street, Newtownards, BT23 4AD, beside Ards Visitor Information Centre, and it is located approx. a 30-40 minute walk from Ulster Flying Club Ards Airfield where the event is located. 

For bus stop detail, information on timetables and fares, visit Translink.co.uk or call the Contact Centre on +44 (0) 28 9066 6630.

Find out more on the Armed Forces Plan Your Trip Section. 

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What3Words

What3words is the easiest way to describe any precise location. It has divided the world into 3 metre squares and given each one a unique identifier made from three words.

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Event Site Entrances:

Ards Airfield Entrance, Portaferry Road - https://w3w.co/longer.slippery.buying 

Public Car Park Entrance, Comber Road – https://w3w.co/parade.regress.verdict 

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Road closures/restrictions

Full Road Closure: Portaferry Road (from the Portaferry Road roundabout to the Old Shore Road) will be closed from 8am to 8pm to ensure the safety and integrity of the site.

Extension to above Portaferry Road Closure: extending from Old Shore Road to Finlays Road between 2pm – 3pm. There will be ‘no through road’ at Old Shore Road. During this period pedestrian access on Portaferry Road from Old Shore Road in the direction of Finlays Road is also prohibited.

Single Lane Closure: For shuttle bus access on the Portaferry Road between George’s Street and the Portaferry Road roundabout throughout the day.

Disruption to traffic flows: Potential rolling road closures, during the parade (10.30am for approximately 40 minutes) from Court Street - South Street - High Street - Castle Street - Portaferry Road.

Diversions and coning: Temporary no-parking zones will be in place in the area throughout the day.

• Please allow extra time for travel and entry.
•  Please note: To ensure public safety, extensions to road closures may be required at certain periods throughout the day. 

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The Floodgates Car Park and the path along the Floodgates

• The Floodgates Car Park and path along the Floodgates to facilitate the event: both closed between 8am – 8pm to ensure public safety.

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Accessible Parking

• Accessible parking spaces must be pre-booked and will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
• Customers requiring accessible parking must display a valid Blue Badge upon entry.
• Accessible vehicles will be parked on hard standing within the airfield grounds.
• While individual bays are not assigned, all pre-booked vehicles are guaranteed a space within the airfield.
• Due to the size of the event site, attendees should expect a 5-10 minute walk from the parking area to the main event area.

Book accessible parking | Book standard parking

Please see the Plan your Trip Section for further information.

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Seating areas

There are seating areas at the event site within the food village.

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Quiet Zone

There will be a quiet zone available on site.

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Accessible Viewing Area

Accessible viewing will be in place at the arena area. Capacity will be limited and allocated on a first come, first served basis.  Air assets will be viewable across the whole site.

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BSL Interpreters

BSL interpreters will be in attendance, located in the arena next to the accessible viewing and VIP area.

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Accessible Toilets

Accessoloo will be in attendance, at the front entrance to the events site. Assessoloo is a toilet facility for disabled people that has the right equipment, including adult changing table, ceiling hoist, lavatory, grab rails, hot and cold running water and heating and Lighting. Find out more about Accessoloo. 

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Strobe Lighting 

There will be no strobe lighting at the event.

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Access to performances 

Sign Language Audio Description are not offered currently.

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Sustainability

We encourage visitors to travel via public transport, event buses or to use the ‘Park and Ride’ Service, find out more in the Plan Your Trip section.

Recycling

Please dispose of rubbish at the recycling stations provided. Read more about Sustainability.

Please help us continue our sustainability commitment to zero contamination at events by using the correct bin.

There will be team members from Recycling on hand to provide advice and help you put your rubbish in the correct bin.

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Directional signage 

Directional signage will be in place throughout the site to guide you to various areas including entertainment, toilets, recycling, First Aid points, Information Area, there will also be members of event staff available to help you with directions or event information.

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Medical Services 

First aiders and ambulance services on site. There is a first aid tent, on foot patrol and vehicles.

Additionally, clear signage will guide you to these facilities.

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Dogs On site 

Dogs are generally not allowed on Ards Airfield site, but as a special case for this event dogs and assistance dogs will be allowed at the Armed Forces Day event on 21 June (for the duration of the event).

• We would advise dog owners this is an extremely busy site with large crowds and loud noises and do not recommend that you bring your dog onto the site. 
• However, if you do plan to attend with your dog, they must be kept on a short lead. Owners must clean up after their dogs and dispose of the waste in the appropriate bins. 
• Accredited assistance dogs/ emotional support dogs are welcome. Both must be easily identified for their purpose by the dog handler (Identification tags).
• For animal welfare and safety reasons dogs must not be left in vehicles at any time during the event.

Event organisers and staff reserve the right to refuse entry or request removal of any dog that:

• Is not under control

• Appears distressed or aggressive

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For further accessibility information, please contact:

Ards Visitor Information Centre by Tel: 028 9182 6846 or Email: ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Bangor Visitor Information Centre Tel: 028 91 270069 or Email: bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk 

This event is organised by Ards and North Down Borough Council in partnership with the UK Armed Forces - The Royal Navy, The British Army and Royal Air Force. 

Details subject to change. Keep checking back to our website, follow our facebook page or sign up to our ezine for updates.<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<