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Blackwater Valley Big Tent Event gets under way

In the largest event of its kind in the South of England, the multi-faith Big Tent Event in Aldershot - which began yesterday (9 Sept) and runs all weekend - sets out to engage with the military and civilian community on spiritual issues.

Among the guests are the Secretary of State for Education, the Rt Hon Michael Gove, Lt Gen Sir Richard Shirreff and Maj Gen Patrick Marriott who will be joined by and others to discuss the “Spiritual Dimension of Soldiering and Society.”

The idea behind the title is to try to encourage discussion about how beliefs and faith underpin what makes people and communities what they are.

This year up to 5,000 people are expected at the Big Tent Event with many soldiers and their families of all faiths coming together with the desire to look under the surface of things to where people find internal strength and resources in both peace and war.

Although is being run in partnership between the Army Chaplaincy and the local Civilian Churches the organisers are keen to ensure the event is open to people of all faiths and one of the speakers at the event is a Hindu Doctor.

The rest of the occasion includes a variety of services, Youth and Music events that explore the role of spirituality in facing the challenges of military service and life generally.