Date: 03/03/2008
High Peak Borough Council will welcome the soldiers from the 2nd Battalion the Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters) when they march through the streets of Buxton, as they exercise the Freedom of the Borough.
High Peak residents are invited to line the route on Wednesday 12 March, when about 100 soldiers will march with bayonets fixed and colours flying to mark the occasion. The march will start at 3.30 pm and will be from the Sylvan car park, along Spring Gardens, the Crescent, the Square and along the promenade at Pavilion Gardens.
The event marks an important development historically.
The former Borough of Buxton granted Freedom of Entry to the Borough to the Sherwood Foresters Regiment in 1967. This was extended in 1970 when the Regiment merged to form the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment. The right transferred to the High Peak Borough Council when it was formed in 1974.
In September 2007, the Regiment was further merged to create the Mercian Regiment, and last December, the Council agreed that the Mercian Regiment should be granted the Freedom of the Borough.
Major Paul Gilby, Officer Commanding C Company, said: "To have the Freedom of the Borough bestowed upon our Regiment is a huge honour and we look forward to marching through the streets of Buxton. It is the continual bond and friendship of the local communities from which we recruit which makes us such a good family regiment. That bond builds our morale and increases our fighting spirit."
Councillor Jean Wharmby, Mayor of High Peak, said: "It is very important that the Council continues its link with the Regiment, which currently has many people from the High Peak within its ranks on active service.
"This will be a wonderful day for the High Peak. I hope that residents from around the Borough will come and watch this historical event as the soldiers march through Buxton."
The Battalion returned from Afghanistan in October.
Based in Helmand Province, they took part in heavy fighting during their six-month tour and engaged many times with the enemy. They were instrumental in establishing local governance in Gereshk and provided an environment where the local population was able to return to their homes and establish a bustling market town.
The regiment was also involved in intense combat in the formidable "Green Zone", establishing a dominant position, which reduced the enemy to mounting indirect attacks.
Photo, top right: The 2nd Battalion the Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters) marching along the Pavilion Gardens Promenade.
Photo, above: Major Paul Gilby, Officer Commanding C Company, with High Peak Mayor, Councillor Jean Wharmby, at the Bandstand.