Parade for soldiers

IN a little over a week s time soldiers based at the Carver Barracks in Wimbish will be granted the Freedom of the District and given permission to march through Saffron Walden. Almost 200 soldiers from the 33 Engineer Regiment (EOD) will gather at the Ut

IN a little over a week's time soldiers based at the Carver Barracks in Wimbish will be granted the Freedom of the District and given permission to march through Saffron Walden.

Almost 200 soldiers from the 33 Engineer Regiment (EOD) will gather at the Uttlesford District Council offices in Saffron Walden to begin their parade down the High Street on Sunday June 14.

When the troops reach the Market Square they will be presented with a scroll, representing the Freedom of the District, by council chairman Cllr Alastair Walters.

This is not the first time the council chairman has had the honour of meeting the troops as the last time they marched through the town in 1988, Cllr Walters was serving as mayor of Saffron Walden.

"I remember it was a hugely proud moment to see the soldiers march in full regalia and there were crowds of people lining the streets," said Cllr Walters. "It is important for us to have this reception for the troops to recognise the great job they are doing for us in the theatre of war."

The soldiers who took part in the last parade in Saffron Walden were the 9th/12th Royal Lancers who were based at the Carver Barracks at the time.

Next Sunday will be the first time that the 33 Engineer Regiment will have marched through the town. Many of the soldiers, who are specialists in bomb disposal, have recently returned from service in Afghanistan and Iraq.