Trowbridge parade for Armed Forces

9.22.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 17th Jun 2008

A parade is being held in Trowbridge to thank the armed services for the dedication they have shown during their work in the Middle East.

The event will take place in the county town on June 27 starting at the Trowbridge Park at 10.30am with an address and inspection before the troops march through the town centre at 11am. A reception will be held at the Civic Hall after the parade.

The march will go along Polebarn Road down Roundstone Street, Silver Street, Fore Street, Castle Street and Market Street before returning to Trowbridge Park.

It has been organised by Wiltshire County Council with West Wiltshire District Council, Trowbridge Town Council and the British Legion.

Around 400 troops representing armed forces from all the units that comprise 1 Mechanised Brigade will take part. They will be accompanied by The Band of the Royal Corps of Signals.

The 1 Mechanised Brigade, together with the Kings Royal Hussars that are part of 12 Mechanised Brigade, returned from a tour of duty in Iraq in December, while Bulford-based 12 Mechanised Brigade HQ returned from Afghanistan in October.

Wiltshire is home to a wide range of military bases. The Army has bases at Tidworth, Bulford, Larkhill, Warminster and Wilton. There are a number of smaller locations at Winterborne Gunner and Netheravon as well as numerous training camps on Salisbury Plain. The RAF are located at Boscombe Down and Lyneham. There are around 15,000 military personnel stationed in the county at any one time.

Trowbridge mayor John Knight said: "I will be most pleased to be able to welcome the parade to the county town of Wiltshire, as Trowbridge has many historical links to the armed forces. This will be a fitting tribute, at the start of the town council's weekend of veterans' celebrations and community spotlight events."

County council chairman Robert Hall said: "Wiltshire has strong links with the armed forces and this parade has been organised to enable us to say thank you to them for their dedication and hard work in both Afghanistan and Iraq."

Graham Payne, leader of West Wiltshire Council, said: "The district council is delighted to be able to give support to this parade, which is a big thank you to the men and women of the Armed Forces who have given service in the Middle East."