East Hampshire Veterans Festival 2026
If you, or a family member, have served in the armed forces and are looking for help, advice or support on anything, the East Hampshire Veterans festivals are for you!
To celebrate and support our veterans and active‑duty armed forces in East Hampshire our successful Veterans Festival returned to Petersfield Festival Hall on Saturday 19 September 2026.
Arranged in partnership between EHDC, Petersfield Town Council, and the Royal British Legion, the drop-in event was a chance for everyone to show their appreciation for armed forces personnel (past and present) and their families, for the value they bring to our communities.
It attracted more than 120 visitors and guests, including an array of dignitaries from local MPs, councillors and the Deputy Lord Lieutenant Vice Admiral, Sir David Steel, and gave our serving and former military/defence personnel and their families a chance to meet up, chat and share experiences.
A range of stalls and presentations on various topics were on-hand throughout the day. There were 28 local and national groups offering practical help, with experts on finances, job-hunting and mental wellbeing as well as welfare charities who help thousands every year.
The event featured:
- Support services including childcare, employment, finance, housing, pensions and welfare support.
- Information on how to apply for a HM armed forces veteran card and various other discounts.
- A place to chat and a safe space for private conversations
- Refreshments
- Live entertainment
- Support and advice to stay safe and well
- information and practical advice from national and local organisations and groups
Get in touch
For more information contact our Armed Forces Champion – Cllr Phil Shaw or email our Armed Forces Officers – Joanne Utting and Hannah Robbins at communitynorth@easthants.gov.uk
To find out what support is available for our armed forces in East Hampshire, including clubs and networking opportunities please take a look at Armed Forces in the community.
Our connection with the Armed Forces Community
Supporting our armed forces community is a priority for the council and we are proud to have been recognised with the Defence Employment Recognition Scheme Gold Award.
We have long-standing bonds with local armed forces communities and have fostered a working environment which is welcoming and attractive to reservists and ex-service men and women.
We re-signed our Armed Forces Covenant in 2022 and more recently we launched an Armed Forces Stakeholder Group. This is a network of local groups, organisations and military charities who work together to ensure that our veterans and members of the Armed Forces families have access to support if needed.
New policies have been put in place which offer additional support to reservists and members of the cadet forces, allowing them to fulfil their commitments while working at the council.