The Yorkshire Regiment given the Freedom of the City
HUNDREDS of people lined the city's streets at the weekend to honour the region's soldiers.
More than 100 soldiers marched through the city on Saturday when The Yorkshire Regiment, was given the Freedom of the City.
Led by the Band of the King's Division, more than 100 soldiers from the regiment's 3rd Battalion paraded from the TA Centre on George Street, to the Cathedral Precinct, where the Freedom Scroll was presented by the Mayor of Wakefield, Coun Heather Hudson.
The Yorkshire Regiment has four battalions made up of more than 2300 officers and soldiers.
Troops from its 2nd and 3rd Battalions are expected to finish their six-month tour of duty in Afghanistan in the next few weeks.
Leader Wakefield Council, Coun Peter Box, who opened the proceedings outside the Cathedral said: "The regiment received very warm welcome from the people of Wakefield with hundreds lining the streets to show their support.
"It was an honour for me to represent the district's citizens and officially recognise the regiment's bravery and remember those who lost their lives in the line of duty."
Other special guests included the lord lieutenant of West Yorkshire, the high sheriff and local district councillors.
Following the ceremony the soldiers exercised their Freedom with a march around the city.
Army spokesperson Penny Veale said: "It meant such a lot to the regiment to have such a wonderful turn out from members of the public in Wakefield, and they felt very honoured as they marched around the city.
"Many of them have only recently returned from Afghanistan and are delighted to be back in the UK. Others are still away and the support they are getting means an awful lot."
A Warriors armoured personnel carrier and a Scimitar armoured car were on display throughout the day.
The Express has a dedicated section on its website, which gives family, friends and the general public the chance to send messages of support to troops serving abroad.
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Weather for Wakefield
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Heavy snow
Temperature: -1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: West
