Freedom Of The Vale Of Glamorgan Parade

HMS Cambria was awarded the Freedom of the Vale of Glamorgan in 2012 and will honour their right to parade through the town of Barry on Saturday 18 June 2016. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The right to exercise the Freedom of a County is the highest civic honour that can be bestowed upon the Royal Navy. It stems from medieval times when fortresses were necessary to protect inhabitants from attack. Groups of armed men and women were refused entry to a city or town unless citizens were confident they meant no harm. Thus granted permission became a mark of trust. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

On Saturday 18 June at 11.15am the Band of the Royal Marines and marching Platoons will march onto King Square, outside Barry Town Hall. With swords drawn, bayonets fixed and colours flying, the Parade Commander will escort the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s Armed Forces Champion, Councillor Anthony Powell, to inspect the marching platoon. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

HMS Cambria will then parade down Holton Road and to the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s Civic Offices. The salute will be received by Her Majesty’s Vice Lord Lieutenant, Sir Brooke Boothby and The Mayor of The Vale of Glamorgan, Councillor Stuart Egan. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The parade finishes at 12.15pm. Members of the public are welcome to attend and line the route. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​