13 November 2007
Homecoming parade, Guildford town centre, 10.30am Tuesday 20 November 2007
Residents, visitors and workers in Guildford are set to line the streets of the town centre next week to welcome home the 1st Battalion Royal Anglian Regiment (The Vikings) from a six-month tour of duty in Afghanistan.
The homecoming parade, organised by Guildford Borough Council, will take place on Tuesday 20 November. The public will see 400 soldiers from the regiment march through the town centre with a military band. The Mayor of Guildford will host a reception at the Guildhall for some members of the regiment and their families.
Mayor of Guildford Cllr Mike Nevins says: “Many of the troops have families who live, work and play in the borough and consider it their home. We hope as many people as possible will come to the town centre to watch the parade and give the regiment a really warm welcome.
“The Pirbright-based troops have just returned from a gruelling six-month tour of duty in Afghanistan’s Helmand Province, where they made significant advances and sustained many casualties. They consider their major success to be the start of reconstruction projects, particularly in the town of Sangin,” adds the mayor.
Lieutenant-Colonel Stuart Carver, Commanding Officer of the Vikings, says it will mean a great deal to the soldiers to realise that people at home appreciate the sacrifices they have made.
“Since May 2001, the Battalion has enjoyed a close relationship with the Borough of Guildford,” he says. “We are proud of what we have achieved and we hope that people will take to the streets of Guildford on 20 November to show their support to all our Viking soldiers so that they know the local population is proud of what they have achieved and appreciate the sacrifices they and our fallen soldiers have made.”
The parade will assemble on the Town Bridge at 10.30am and march up the High Street to Holy Trinity Church. Following a short speech ceremony and blessing outside the church the parade will continue down North Street along the A281 back to the Town Bridge. The police will direct traffic, which may be subject to short delays, and access to the borough council offices will be restricted from 10am due to the closure of Millmead short stay car park. The event is set to finish around 11.30am.