Army Training Centre Marches To Exercise Its Rights On Receiving Freedom Of the Borough

Published on: 24 Jun, 2017
Updated on: 3 Sep, 2017

Pomp, ceremony and colour was in evident in Guildford High Street today (Saturday, June 24) with a march and service to mark the Army Training Centre (ATC) receiving the freedom of the borough.

The march passes the Guildhall.

Taking place on the UK’s Armed Forces Day, in which people have the opportunity to show their support and salute those who serve, recruits from the Pirbright-based ATC marched up the High Street to the music of the Band of the Royal Logistics Corps, itself based near Pirbright, for a service outside Holy Trinity Church.

As always with such events in Guildford, it went off perfectly and was timed to perfection.

Dignitaries wait to take the salute.

Among the dignitaries were the Lord Lieutenant of Surrey, Michael More-Molyneux; the High Sheriff of Surrey, Robert Napier; Guildford MP Anne Milton; the Mayor of Guildford, Nigel Manning; freemen, aldermen and some councillors; plus the managing director of Guildford Borough Council, James Whiteman; and the leader of the council, Paul Spooner.

Soldiers and the band assemble in the car park by the Town Bridge.

The soldiers and the band assembled in the car park by the Town Bridge and at noon passed the Guildhall where a salute was given to dignitaries standing under Tunsgate.

Aldermen and councillors make their way to the service that took place outside Holy Trinity Church.

On the march.

The ATC was exercising its freedom of the borough by marching through the town with its army colours flying.

Watching the event in the High Street.

People lined the route, some obviously not knowing that the event was taking place as they hastily asked army personnel, police officers and others what was going on.

Mace bearers in the doorway of the Guildhall waiting for the parade to begin.

Staff from Guildford Borough Council distributed programmes for the service.

The Lord Lieutenant of Surrey, Michael More-Molyneux, inspects the soldiers.

There was an inspection of the soldiers by the Lord Lieutenant of Surrey, Michael More-Molyneux, and the mayor.

Views from Holy Trinity Church towards Abbot’s Hospital.

The mayor presented Lieut Colonel Richard Green, commanding officer at ATC Pirbright, with a scroll proclaiming the freedom of the borough. The honour was bestowed on March 6 (2017).

During the service there were hymns, prayers and the singing of the National Anthem.

The view from outside Holy Trinity Church. On the far right is Peter Bruinvels, who works closely with The Soldiers Charity, the national charity of the British Army.

ATC Pirbright has received the Freedom of the Borough of Guildford, as recognition of its history of distinguished service and outstanding contribution to the local community and the nation.

In a statement before today’s event, the mayor said: “ATC Pirbright is the largest initial training site in the British Army and it has made an outstanding contribution to national life over many years by providing first class training for generations of newcomers.”

Lieut Col Richard Green, added: “We are hugely honoured to have received the Freedom of the Borough of Guildford and we will take great pride in exercising our freedom through your wonderful town on Armed Forces Day 2017.”

Soldiers wearing ABF Soldiers Charity wrist bands.

Tomorrow, Sunday, June 25, will see the Surrey Armed Forces Day Historic and Vintage Military Rally and Show at Loseley Park. Free to enter, see details below.