10 June 2008 The Yorkshire Regiment is to exercise its Freedom of the Borough of Harrogate by marching through Harrogate town on Friday,
20 June.
A contingent of 460 soldiers, including the Regimental Band, will march from Beech Grove at 11.00 am and make their way along West Park, Montpellier Hill, Royal Parade into Crescent Gardens where there will be a march past with the Mayor of the Borough (Councillor John Fox) and the Commanding Officer (Lt Col S J Downey MBE) taking the salute.
The Regiment was formed as part of restructuring of the infantry and was created by the merger of three regular battalions, plus a TA battalion.
The 1
st Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) was granted the Freedom of the Borough of Harrogate in 1946 and Harrogate Borough Council has readily agreed that the Freedom should be transferred to the new Yorkshire Regiment.
Councillor John Fox, as Mayor of the Borough, will formally recognise this decision by presenting an illuminated scroll to the Commanding Officer.
He said:
"The Freedom of the Borough is the highest honour a council can bestow.
These close links between the Regiment and our Borough should not be allowed to fade so I was delighted that the council agreed to grant the Freedom to the Yorkshire Regiment and that our relationship will continue.
"These soldiers have had a demanding role in Afghanistan and I do hope that members of the public will come out to watch the parade and show their appreciation for the bravery and hard work that these soldiers have displayed..
These really are spectacular events and such ceremonies are all too rare these days.
So when they happen they should be enjoyed by as many as possible.
"
ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT:
Lynne Mee 01423 556022 or email lynne.mee@harrogte.gov.uk or Captain Henry Bowden on 01772 260761