A large-scale military parade and event featuring up to 250 military personnel takes place this weekend in Hull city centre.
Taking place this Sunday (14 April), The Freedom of the City parade will be the first in the city in a number of years, and will include a ‘military village’ in Queen Victoria Square and Paragon St for visitors to view a number of military vehicles including a Bandvagn 206, a tracked articulated all-terrain vehicle and Yamaha Grizzly 450 quad bike, plus displays.
The event is free for visitors of all ages to attend and will run 10am to 3pm.
Lord Mayor, Councillor Kalvin Neal, also Sergeant K Neal Army Reserve Recruiter, will be inspecting the parade in Trinity Square before its departure. He said:
“This Freedom Parade is slightly different. We have invited all those with the Freedom of the City to march together, where previously they have done this individually.
“It promises to be a great spectacle, with a military village alongside with the parade, giving residents the opportunity to see the latest equipment used by the British Forces.
“We’re also lucky to have the Army Cadet Force band playing to make the event extra special.
“Taking the salute will be such an honour. Hearing the band and seeing the colours flying whilst the troops are marching past will make for a truly spectacular event.”
The parade will begin in Trinity Square at and set off at 11.20am, travelling through Trinity House Lane, Whitefriargate, Carr Lane, Chariot Street, Paragon Street, Chapel Street, Jameson Street, King Edward St and Queen Victoria Square and back on to Whitefriargate.
The good work of some of the country’s premier youth organisations was recognised with the award of the Honorary Freedom of the City of Kingston upon Hull, with the honour bestowed upon both cadet groups during an Extraordinary Meeting of Full Council, which was held at The Guildhall on Thursday 21 March.
It went to two groups – the Humberside and South Yorkshire Army Cadet Force, and the 152 (City of Hull) Squadron, Air Training Corps, in recognition and appreciation of their eminent and valuable service rendered to the city.
The Lord Mayor and Admiral of the Humber, Councillor Kalvin Neal, said: “With a military background of my own, I am so pleased that we’re able to grant the Honorary Freedom to these cadets.
“These groups allow young people to develop so many skills, such as teamwork and leadership, whilst also boosting things like their self-confidence.
“The activities they do are fun, exciting and rewarding, and they help to develop young people of all abilities and backgrounds, both physically and mentally.”
The Humberside and South Yorkshire Army Cadet Force has around 1,200 Army cadets aged 12-18, with over 250 adult volunteers. It covers East and South Yorkshire, along with North and North East Lincolnshire, with 7 different detachments in Hull alone.
The 152 (City of Hull) Squadron, Air Training Corps is part of the RAF Air Cadets, a UK-wide force with more than 40,000 members aged between 12 and 20 years old. Its base is the East Hull Cadet Centre on Holderness Road.
