Over a hundred soldiers will march through Beverley and Bridlington with bayonets fixed, colours flying and bands playing as they exercise their freedom rights.
Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion of The Yorkshire Regiment will take part in the Freedom Parades on Friday, 30 June led by commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Sam Humpris.
The Honorary Freedom permits them the privilege, honour and distinction of marching through the streets of Beverley and Bridlington with bayonets fixed, colour flying and bands playing.
It was in 2006 when East Riding of Yorkshire Council resolved to transfer the Freedom granted by the former East Yorkshire Borough Council and Beverley Borough Council in recognition of the long-standing association with The Yorkshire Regiment and the high esteem in which they are held by the people of the East Riding and their devoted service to Queen and country.
The parade will start at New Walk in Beverley at 11am and will march to the gates of North Bar, which will be closed.
The parade commander will ask for permission to pass through the gates, which will be granted by the town crier on behalf of East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Beverley Town Council, and the gates will be opened.
The parade will then make its way to the Market Cross in Saturday Market where the Lord Lieutenant of the East Riding of Yorkshire, the Hon Mrs Susan Cunliffe-Lister, will take the salute, together with Councillor Caroline Fox, chairman of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Mrs Gillian Drewry, High Sheriff of the East Riding of Yorkshire and Town Mayor of Beverley, Ann Willis.
The Lord Lieutenant, chairman and town mayor will be invited to inspect the troops followed by speeches and exchange of gifts after which the parade will march off to School Lane.
This will be one of the last ceremonial, public event before officers and men of the 2nd Battalion of The Yorkshire Regiment deploy to Afghanistan at the end of July.
Commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Sam Humpris, said:
“It’s a huge honour and privilege to be leading my soldiers from the 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment through two of our freedom towns just before we deploy.
“It allows us to say farewell to two of the communities we represent and spiritually to wish farewell to the county.
“The responsibility of serving our county and country on operations is one that we hold incredibly seriously and my Yorkshire soldiers have set about the task of preparing for that in the hugely positive, tough, honest and straight-forward manner for which they are famed and celebrated.
“We are now exceptionally well-trained and excited and ready for the challenges that will follow.”
Chairman of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Councillor Caroline Fox, said: “The Freedom Parades are such a spectacular event and being involved in these parades is such an honour.
“The parades will give the people of East Yorkshire a chance to say farewell to the soldiers before they leave for duties in Afghanistan.”
