Local people came out in their thousands on Saturday (18th October) to support local troops from 579 Field Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal (Volunteers) who were honoured with the Freedom of the Borough outside the Assembly Hall Theatre.

The Freedom of a borough is the greatest honour that can be bestowed by a civic authority on a military unit and allows that body of troops to 'march through its streets with swords drawn, bayonets fixed, drums beating and colours flying'.

This privilege was extended in recognition of the confidence, trust and friendship existing between the citizens of the Borough and soldiers of the Squadron, and to mark the contribution the Territorial Army has made to the country in peace and in time of war.

This year marks the centenary of the establishment of the Territorial Army.

The Lord Lieutenant, Alan Willett gave a speech, in which he said,

‘The parade is particularly gratifying because when last year I called upon all local authorities in Kent to encourage greater support for our Armed Forces, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council reacted enthusiastically.

‘A motion acknowledging the tremendous job that our Armed Forces are performing and recognising their bravery, endurance and professionalism - and the courage of their families - was passed unanimously, as was the case with all Kent’s Local Authorities. Just what we should expect of our great County with its unrivalled record as Vanguard of the Nation.

‘Here, today, the Borough Council has translated those words into action by granting the much-prized Freedom to the Territorial Army bomb disposers of 579 Squadron, based here in Royal Tunbridge Wells.

Your Worship, on Her Majesty’s behalf, I commend the Squadron for its great record of service to our County and Nation, and I commend the Borough Council and the people of Tunbridge Wells and surrounding villages for this wonderful demonstration of wholehearted support for our Armed Forces.’

The troops were accompanied by the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment Band and the Royal Engineers TA Band from Nottinghamshire during the parade.

Mayor Cllr Mike Rusbridge added,

‘I was honoured to present these magnificent men and women with the Freedom of the Borough on Saturday. They were rightly supported by a huge crowd and the warmth and pride from those that had come along to show that they are behind their armed forces was incredibly moving. I am very pleased to be a part of the Council that saw fit to grant the Freedom of the Borough as a way of showing our commitment to those in the armed forces that risk their lives for us.’

Major Ian Foulkes, RE(V), said:

‘The award of the Freedom of the Borough is one of the oldest, and one of the highest awards that a local authority can bestow on a military unit. I, and all the members of 579 Field Squadron (EOD)(V), are delighted to receive the Freedom of the Borough of Tunbridge Wells and we are very honoured that the Members of the Council decided to show their support for our service to the country in this way.’