Rishi joined Catterick Garrison families for VE Day celebrations.
Rishi, accompanied by his wife, joined families at Bramble Woods Community Garden to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE day.
The event, organised by the Royal British Legion, Catterick & District Veterans Network, and Armed Forces charity e50k, welcomed families to participate in games, picnics and a cake-baking competition.
Rishi and Akshata were welcomed by Amy Manuel, Site Manager at Bramble Woods, Elizabeth Newman-Earl, CEO of e50k, and Amanda Clements-Hunt, Poppy Appeal Manager for North Yorkshire.
Rishi was also given a tour of the Bramble Woods site, which just four years ago was an overgrown patch of nettles.
Today, it has been transformed into a thriving community garden, featuring a natural pond and polytunnel, part funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Rishi also heard of future plans to include a community kitchen at the site.
The visit concluded with a moment of reflection, listening to the speech that Winston Churchill delivered 80 years ago on VE Day, before Rishi and Akshata judged the cake competition, which included a Vinegar cake as part of the ration book category.
Founded by a defence spouse and an ex-soldier, e50k is a national female-led social enterprise working across the UK Armed Forces estate to tackle social isolation, deprivation, and mental health issues. It creates community-led projects that offer employment, education, and volunteering opportunities. The charity also hosts a coffee morning once a month, providing the opportunity for service families to meet up.
Rishi said: “I was honoured to join families and veterans in Catterick to mark VE Day, remembering the bravery and sacrifice of a generation who secured peace for all of us. We owe so much to those who came before us, and it’s inspiring to see today’s Armed Forces community come together”.
“Projects like Bramble Woods show how that legacy lives on, by creating places of connection, purpose and pride for those who continue to serve and support our country.”
Ms Manuel said: “Bramble Woods is a central community greenspace that offers so much to local families and groups. It is the perfect place to host a Street Party to honour VE Day 80. e50K understand the unique challenges faced by so many in Catterick Garrison, and for Rishi and Akshata to spend their time with our families and listen to our stories was amazing”.
