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Background & History of the Somerset Covenant

The Somerset Armed Forces Community Covenant has been prepared by a partnership led by Somerset County Council, and includes a pledge to help anyone with a connection to the military access local services.

It was signed at the Fleet Air Arm Museum in Yeovilton near the Royal Navy Air Station, the largest military base in the county in 2011.

The Council's Member Champion for the Armed Forces, Cllr Tony McMahon, led the 30 signatories representing the Army and Navy, The Royal British Legion, local councils, the NHS, reservist and veteran associations, businesses, charities and further education colleges.

Among the signatories were the Leader of Somerset County Council, Cllr Ken Maddock, and Admiral of the Fleet Sir Benjamin Bathurst, Somerset chairman of the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association, and David Lowe, Somerset County Manager for The Royal British Legion

Cllr McMahon said: "Now we have the signatures from the Somerset military and civilian communities the work will begin in earnest on creating an environment where both interact and benefit as much as possible from each other's activities.

"We have the opportunity to bid for funding through the Ministry of Defence's Community Covenant Grant Scheme and quarterly meetings of the partnership will be a chance to check progress on every policy and activity that we want to see happen."