Penarth hosts second town centre Armed Forces parade (From Penarth Times)

Penarth hosts second town centre Armed Forces parade

12:20pm Thursday 5th July 2012 in News

PENARTH Town Council paid a “heartfelt thanks” to members of the Armed Forces at a town centre parade last Wednesday.

The evening parade took place to mark Armed Forces Day and to honour the many men and women in the armed forces community.

Organised by the Town Council with the assistance of local police, the local branch of the Royal British Legion and 580 Transport Squadron RLC Welsh Transport Regiment, the procession took around 30 minutes to travel from West House, along Hickman Road, Windsor Road, and back along Stanwell Road.

As it passed the St Fagan’s pub in the town centre the salute was received by waiting civic dignitaries and town councillors, while local people lined the route to cheer and applaud.

Officers from 580 Squadron and HMS Cambria were joined by Army and Royal Air Force cadets, members of the British Legion and the RAFA Association, personnel from South Wales Fire Service and St John Ambulance, as well as local scouts and members of the public.

A Penarth Town Council spokesman said: “The parade could not have taken place without the support of Inspector Mark Taylor of Penarth Police and his officers, together with representatives of CAVRA, the local branch of St John Ambulance, Phil Morris and the band, the Reverend Peter Cox, and the townsfolk who turned out to support those who marched.”

Town Mayor Councillor Philip Rapier added: “Armed Forces Day presented a great opportunity for Penarth to say a heartfelt thank you to our troops in all branches of the services.

“I was extremely proud to join in saluting the participants from 580 Squadron and HMS Cambria. It takes a very special person to be a reservist who is prepared to exchange the security of their daily life at a moment’s notice to serve their country on the other side of the world, and protect the freedoms we cherish.

“It also made me very proud to see Penarth’s own Sea, Army and Air Cadets, along with the scouts, turn out immaculately in their uniforms, proving how these organisations can help young lives on the road to developing their full potential, thanks to the hard work and patience of their dedicated adult volunteers,” he added.

“Not all our cadets go on to join the armed forces, but every single one of them is a better, more mature and responsible person thanks to the discipline, training and team spirit they learn there.

“It was a privilege to meet afterwards with the members at the Penarth British Legion Club, who made a splendid contribution to the parade,” said Cllr Rapier.

“The members who represented all services including the Merchant Navy shared with me memories of hard fought campaigns and the comradeship they had enjoyed.

“Thank you also to all the people of Penarth who attended the parade to let the troops know that we truly value and respect the work they do for us all over the world.”