Pictures: Welsh Guards hold Freedom March through Wrexham town centre

Crowds gathered this morning to watch the Welsh Guards hold a “Freedom March” through Wrexham town centre.

Five years ago the Welsh Guards were awarded the Freedom of County Borough in recognition of their contribution to the area and their relationship with the local authority and people of Wrexham. The granting of the Freedom formally recognised the contribution the Welsh Guards have made to the county borough and their relationship with the authority and people of Wrexham, and allowed them the freedom to march through the town.

Today the guards, along with their bayonets fixed and standards flying, exercised that right to hold a Freedom March through the town.

The guards – who were accompanied by the Welsh Guards Band – marched from the Hightown Barracks and through the town centre before arriving at Llwyn Isaf, where they were greeted by primary school pupils, members of the public and council representatives.

Some more pictures from the parade through town on site now: https://t.co/gfSnrGOdvS pic.twitter.com/kKUde3BNiG

— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) September 17, 2019

Once at Llwyn Isaf Mayor of Wrexham, councillor Rob Walsh carried out an inspection of the soldiers and gave a civic welcome to the Welsh Guards from the council and the people of Wrexham.

Cllr Walsh said: “As a military town, many from Wrexham have served and are currently serving in the ranks of the Welsh Guards, and some of them are here today. We’re all pleased that you could attend and we are very proud of you.

“The Freedom of the County Borough was conferred on the Welsh Guards on the 18th of July 2014.

“Those grants this rare honour are held in the highest esteem by the council and the people of Wrexham. The rights privileges, honours and distinctions of Freeman of the County Borough bestowed upon the Welsh guards include the rights of March in the streets of the county borough on ceremonial occasions such as today.

He added: “Many attendees here today are representing local organisations who are proud signatories of our Armed Forces Covenants.

“This recognises the service of those who serve or who have served in the armed forces, supporting them and their families whilst they’re in uniform and when they return to civilian life. I’m pleased to see so many of you here today supporting today’s parade.

“You have a valuable role in Wrexham and I would like to offer my personal thanks for the work you do. So I would like to wish both of battalion and band and good fortune and every success in the future – and to thank you for being here today, in particular, for your excellent standard, turnout, drill music.

“Please remember that you will always receive a perpetual welcome in Wrexham.”