A homecoming parade will be held in Pontypool on Saturday 5 June at 11am for the Royal Welsh and it is hoped the event will draw a large crowd of well-wishers. It has been arranged to welcome the soldiers back to Wales and thank them for their service in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Royal Welsh will exercise the Freedom of the County Borough of Torfaen by marching through the streets of Pontypool led by Taffy the Regimental Goat Mascot and the Band of the Prince of Wales’s Division.
The centre piece of the day will be the presentation of the Freedom Scroll by the Mayor of Torfaen, Councillor Tom Huish, to Brigadier Aitken of the Royal Welsh. This will take place at Pontypool Park Memorial Gates just after 11am.
The Royal Welsh was awarded the Freedom of the Borough at a meeting of the Council on 30th June 2009 in recognition of the Regiment’s heroism and devotion to duty in the service of others during the Afghanistan and Iraq Campaigns. The Parade through Pontypool is one of a series of homecoming parades across Wales as the regiment gradually acquires the Freedom of all 22 Welsh Unitary Authorities.
Special features of the day will include a Warrior Armoured Vehicle at Pontypool Active Living Centre and a Panther Armoured Jeep outside Boots in Pontypool Town Centre.
A stall will be set up next to Pontypool Park Memorial Gates and commemorative programmes and hand held Welsh and Union Flags will be available at no charge.
