Minden Day flag raising service

Armed Forces flag waving in the breeze.

Date: Thursday, 30 July 2026

Location: Rochdale Town Hall, The Esplanade, Rochdale OL16 1AZ

Cost: Free

Time: 10.30am - 11am

About this event

Minden Day is a regimental anniversary celebrated by certain units of the British Army and will be marked by a flag raising at Rochdale Town Hall.

Minden Day commemorates the participation of the forerunners of the regiments in the Battle of Minden during the Seven Years' War on 1 August 1759. In the battle, an Anglo-German army under the overall command of Prussian Field Marshal Ferdinand of Brunswick defeated a French army. The 'Annus Mirabilis' of 1759 (Latin for 'wonderful year') was a string of notable British and allied victories over their French-led opponents.

The celebration of the day involves the wearing of "Minden Roses" on the regimental head dress, and in the case of the infantry regiments, the decoration of the regimental colours with garlands of roses. This recalls that the regiments wore wild roses at the battle that they had plucked from the hedgerows as they advanced to engage the enemy.

Disclaimer

Events and activities are not organised by Rochdale Borough Council unless stated otherwise. Neither is Rochdale Borough Council responsible for the accuracy of the information provided. If you are under 18, ask your parent or guardian before taking part in any event or activity.

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