A FIRST WITH THE YORKSHIRE REGIMENT AT THE GREAT YORKSHIRE SHOW
At what will be a unique occasion, The Yorkshire Regiment (1st Battalion Yorkshire Regiment) is to exercise its Freedom of Harrogate at the 2012 Great Yorkshire Show.
At the invitation of the organisers, the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, 185 soldiers will parade around the show’s Main Ring wearing combat dress, with Colours flying and bayonets fixed. There will also be a silence to mark the Regiment’s recent losses. The Great Yorkshire Show attracts around 130,000 visitors and is England’s premier agricultural event.
The Parade takes place on the first day of the three day event, Tuesday 10 July, and is being organised in conjunction with Harrogate Borough Council.
Nigel Pulling, the Society’s Chief Executive said: “The 1st Battalion returns from active service in Afghanistan just before the Great Yorkshire Show, and we are delighted and extremely proud to honour them. It will be a unique occasion as it is the first time that the Regiment has exercised its Freedom at an organised event. This means that not only will this be a highlight for our show visitors, but as the Parade will be streamed live via our website, the audience is worldwide, including members of the Regiment’s 3rd Battalion who do not return from Afghanistan until October.” The Society will also be inviting close family members of the soldiers to the event.
The Mayor of the Borough of Harrogate, accompanied by the Council Leader, and the Chief Executive, Wallace Sampson will watch the Parade from the President’s Box along with Society personnel. The Mayor will take the salute which will be followed by a presentation to the Regiment by Simon Theakston, the Society’s Chairman.
The Parade will take approximately 30 minutes and the soldiers will be under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Dan Bradbury. The Band of the King’s Division will precede them in the march around the arena.
Traditionally regiments exercise their Freedom at the end of operational tours. The Yorkshire Regiment last did so in Harrogate in 2009 on returning from Iraq. The Freedom of the Borough is the highest gift a Council can offer.
The Great Yorkshire Show marks the start of a week Homecoming Parades for the Regiment – Beverley and Bridlington on Wednesday 11 July, Bradford and Leeds on Thursday 12 July, York on Friday 13 July and Hull on Saturday 14 July.
ENDS
2 May 2012
Judy Thompson, PR Manager on 01423 546215 or email judyt@yas.co.uk
Apply online for Press Passes to the Great Yorkshire Show 2012 - http://www.greatyorkshireshow.co.uk/html/media-centre/press-passes/
The Yorkshire Regiment: Major (Retd) M L Sullivan, Regimental Affairs Officer, RHQ, The Yorkshire Regiment. Tel: 01904 461018 email: yorkregtaffairs@btconnect.com
Note to editors: due to the May elections, it is not possible to give the names of the Mayor and the Council Leader.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Great Yorkshire Show
The Great Yorkshire Show is organised by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society. It is England’s premier agricultural show attracting over 130,000 visitors over the three days.
Tickets are available at the event and in advance (until Wednesday 4 July) – go to www.greatyorkshireshow.co.uk or call 01423 541222.
Tickets bought in advance Tickets bought on the gate
Adult: £20 Adult £23
Concession: £19 Concession: £22
Children: £9 Children: £11
Family: £52 Family: £60
Parking is free and extensive. Please note dogs, other than assistance dogs are not allowed.
The Yorkshire Regiment
The Yorkshire Regiment was formed as a result of a decision made in 2004 to restructure the organisation of the infantry. The regiment consists of three Regular Army Infantry Battalions (1st, 2nd& 3rd) and one Territorial Army Infantry Battalion (4th). Its home is inYorkshireand the area up to the historic boundary of the River Tees. The Regiment formed on Tuesday, 6 June 2006 from the three Yorkshire Infantry Regiments; The Prince of Wales’s own Regiment of Yorkshire; The Green Howards and the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment (West Riding) plus their affiliated Territorial Army Units. Collectively, these historicalYorkshireregiments trace their history back to 1685. On 18 June 2010 the Regiment received new Colours.
The West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales’s Own) was granted the Freedom of the Borough of Harrogate in 1946 and Harrogate Borough Council readily agreed that the Freedom should be transferred to the new Yorkshire Regiment, in 2008.
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