Parade to mark forces' freedom

Jul 10 2009

LINE the streets and show your support for the Royal Navy and the RAF in Ayrshire.

For they will be thrilled to know that they have the backing of the community they’ve called home for more than 70 years.

Servicemen and woman from both forces will be given the Freedom of South Ayrshire in a historic ceremony on Friday.

And they’ll parade through the town centre to mark the occasion.

Lieutenant commander Bryan Nicholas is commanding officer at HMS Gannet – which has been based in Ayrshire for more than 40 years.

He insists that the troops are rightly proud to be receiving the honour.

He said: “We feel great pride in being awarded the Freedom of South Ayrshire.

“Not only are we based in Prestwick, but we do try hard to get involved with the wider local community when we can and enjoy hosting local school groups, youth organisations and charities on site.

“In addition, we have close associations with Ayrshire sea cadet groups, and one of our two chosen charities is CLIC Malcolm Sargent in Prestwick, which does such fantastic work.

“We always try to help them, not only through fundraising, but by supporting functions if we can.

“We very much feel part of the Ayrshire community and to achieve this official recognition is a great honour for us all.”

The RAF has had a base at Prestwick for more than 70 years.

And like their Royal Navy colleagues, they’re overwhelmed at being honoured by the community.

Wing commander Richard Connelly explained: “The award of the Freedom of the county of South Ayrshire is an enormous honour to all Royal Air Force personnel past and present.

“For over 70 years, personnel at Royal Air Force Prestwick have been proud of the contribution we make to the community in which we sit and which we serve.

“Never was this truer than at present when, in addition to a demanding primary duty, station personnel have been deployed to the Balkans, the Falklands, Iraq, Afghanistan and throughout the Middle East.

“However, they have still found time to make a positive contribution through charitable and community-based projects.

“We are incredibly grateful to South Ayrshire Council for the award of the Freedom as it represents recognition and appreciation of the job we do.”

The move comes just months after the Royal Highland Fusiliers marched through the streets of Ayr after returning from a tour of Afghanistan.

And provost Winnie Sloan urged the public to do their bit to show their respect for brave navy and airforce personnel.

She added: “It’s exactly 50 years since the Freedom of Ayr was awarded to the Royal Highland Fusiliers, so I am delighted that we can honour HMS Gannet and RAF Prestwick with this recognition in 2009.

“I know how proud the HMS Gannet and RAF Prestwick personnel are of their local connections and many of them have chosen to make their homes here. Many more make direct contributions to the community through valuable voluntary, youth and charitable work.

“The role these committed men and women play can not be underestimated and I am delighted the council has agreed to award them the Freedom of South Ayrshire.”

The ceremony will take place at 11am and will be followed by a parade through Ayr town centre at 11.45am.

Provost Winnie Sloan will take the salute at Wallace Tower at 12.10pm and the parade will finish at Ayr Town Hall.