Royal Anglian Regiment parade through town
The parade starts at the top of the Old Town High Street at 2pm tomorrow (Thursday, April 14), moving through Gadebridge Park and ending with a special service at St Mary’s Church at 3pm, led by Reverend Hill.
The Regiment was bestowed Freedom of the Borough by Dacorum Borough Council in September 2014, which allows the Regiment to march with bands playing, drums beating, colours flying and bayonets fixed.
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Hide AdCommanding Officer Lt Col Brown said: “The Battalion is delighted to have this very special opportunity to exercise the Freedom of Hemel Hempstead for the very first time before we depart for a three-year tour based in Cyprus next year.”
Mayor Gbola Adeleke said: “I hope as many people as possible are able to come out and support the Regiment as they parade through Hemel Hempstead for the first time this April.
“Freedom of the Borough is granted to troops as a mark of trust, confidence and friendship.
“I am honoured to be able to be part of this parade to celebrate these principles and to show our borough’s gratitude to the men and women of the Royal Anglian Regiment.”
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Hide AdOver the last few years the Hertfordshire Regiment, and later the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment, was merged into the Royal Anglian Regiment forming the 7th Battalion, which then became the 3rd Battalion under military cuts.
As a result, St Mary’s Church will now have the honour of accepting the former colours no longer used by the Regiment.
Old or former colours are laid up in a suitable place in the Regimental county areas, sometimes cathedrals, churches or places of historic significance to the Regiment and the civilian community.
If you would like to watch the parade, you are advised to be in place before 2pm.
The Old Town High Street and its car park will be closed from 6am until 6pm.
There will also be partial road closures on Queensway and Marlowes.