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1st Battalion The Royal Welsh to march through Chester
| Published: 1st June 2010 12:55 |
The 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh are to march through Chester, after Cheshire West and Chester Council announced they are to be given the Freedom of the Borough.
The unanimous decision was made at a special Council meeting last night (Thursday).
On 5th June, Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Nick Lock will be presented with a scroll containing the Freedom status as Chester's Lord Mayor Councillor Neil Ritchie inspects the five hundred soldiers and band at Castle Square at 11am.
After the march sets off, Councillor Ritchie and Lieutenant Colonel Lock will take the salute in Eastgate Street. The Royal Welsh will be dressed in desert fatigues.
Lord Mayor Councillor Ritchie said: "I am looking forward to presenting the scroll to the 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh which is a symbol of Chester's strong bond with the soldiers and their families who are based at the city's Dale Barracks.
"We saw them on their departure for Afghanistan last year and we all want to salute their courage and endurance in the tough conditions of that war and to honour their personal sacrifice and that of their families.
"I know that they will be given a rousing welcome home during the march from the people of Chester."
Lieutenant Colonel Lock said: "1 R WELSH are delighted and honoured to receive the freedom of Cheshire West and Chester.
"We have been overwhelmed by the support we have received from the people of Chester since our arrival in the city in the summer of 2008, in particular throughout our recent tour of Afghanistan.
"We now look forward to furthering our ties with Chester and to exercising our new freedom with a parade through the city on Saturday 5th June."
Labour Leader Councillor Derek Bateman said: "The Freedom of the Borough is extremely important for these brave soldiers who are only recently back from Afghanistan. We welcome their return and their contribution towards national - building and I am sure that residents will line the streets when they exercise their right and march through Chester on 5 June."
Liberal Democrat Leader Malcolm Gaskill said: "We fully supported the motion to grant the 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh Freedom of the Borough. They have many strong links with the area and I am sure that the links will grow even stronger during their 10 years based in Chester."
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