March Armed Forces Fair (MAFF) – Aug 2026
March Armed Forces Fair is Cambridgeshire’s largest military fair, and the aim of the event is to bring our community together for a celebration of Armed Forces past and present, an aim which has certainly been achieved! The event was located in West End Park, March, and was organised by Deputy Mayor of March Lt Col (Retired) Nigel Spencer (“Spence”) and supported by March Town Council.
(Above) Cadets collecting for The Royal Engineers Association.
The VIP Reception saw The Mayor of March welcoming The High Sheriff, some six local Mayors, and eight veterans from the Royal Hospital, Chelsea. County representatives for the Royal British Legion also attended. It wasn’t as hot as last year, but certainly one had to walk in the shade!
(Above) Former Commandant Mark Knight (back left) with the High Sheriff and Chelsea Pensioners.
This year’s event was twice as large as the one in 2025. The Park was covered with various military-based displays and stalls, as well as an area for Cadet Forces to display and recruit. Cambridgeshire ACF had 20 cadets attending from different detachments.
(Above) Military vehicles on display.
March Detachment Commander WO2 Tracy Ranger said: “Thank you for all the support given to March Detachment, 4 Company, at this year’s March Armed Forces Fair. It’s a huge event with more than 20,000 people attending each year. A special thank you to our CEO Major Spreadborough, Sgt Ruff, Mr Longmuir and 4 Coy MSA Sgt Marriott for helping at the event. The cadets were amazing, interacting with the public at the entrance gates and offering programmes, enthusiastically recruiting at the ACF stand and undertaking casualty simulations. They all did the County proud with many compliments received throughout the day.”
(Above) Cadet Instructor Sgt Marriott demonstrates CPR.
Several ex-army vehicles including tanks and a cutaway helicopter proved popular with the younger generation, and the crowd enjoyed the roar of the two Merlin engines as they were put though their paces. A flypast by a Spitfire from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight proved popular.
(Above) cadets with the High Sheriff.
Local trades were well represented, and as the entry fee was free, it encouraged the public to spend with the traders and food vendors instead. A pipe band opened the event at 1200hrs and a Service of Remembrance closed the event at 1700 hrs.
Cambridgeshire Deputy Lieutenant and former Cambs ACF Commandant Mark Knight MBE DL said: ‘I felt that it was important to support the event by staying visiting all stands and chatting to people. A really well organised and attended event.’
(Above) veterans lower their standards during The Last Post.
With thanks to Mark Knight MBE DL and WO2 Ranger for text and photos. Additional pictures courtesy Fenland Radio.