Proud day for West Lancashire as the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment parades through Ormskirk
- Regiment exercises its Freedom of the Borough of West Lancashire
- Schoolchildren among those who enjoyed the parade
- Soldiers inspected by High Sheriff of Lancashire and Mayor of West Lancashire
Crowds lined the streets on Wednesday to watch the fabulous spectacle of the 1st Battalion of the Duke of Lancaster Regiment marching through Ormskirk.
The Battalion was on parade to exercise the Freedom of the Borough bestowed upon the Regiment in 2010, and children from schools in different parts of the Borough were among those who watched proudly.
Led by the Regimental Band, the soldiers started their march from the West Lancashire Borough Council Offices with "Colours flying, drums beating, and bayonets fixed". The first stage of the route took them along Derby Street and Derby Street West to Ormskirk Parish Church for a private service.
The Battalion then reformed to march down Church Street to Moor Street. Here the soldiers lined up for an inspection by the High Sheriff of Lancashire, Martin Ainscough DL and Councillor Mrs. Marilyn Westley, Mayor of West Lancashire.
Councillor Mrs Marilyn Westley, the Mayor of West Lancashire, said: "This was a very proud day for the people of West Lancashire to see our brave soldiers marching through our streets.
"The children were particularly excited to watch the parade which was wonderful to see, and it was a real honour to be able to inspect the Regiment."
Deputy Colonel of The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, Colonel Andrew Kennedy added: " Thank you to everyone who came to see The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment at the Freedom Parade in Ormskirk. We were delighted to see so many of you lining the streets. It was a truly memorable occasion, and we look forward to the next one."
Other special guests included Councillor Yvonne Gagen, Leader of West Lancashire Borough Council, Jacqui Sinnott-Lacey, Chief Operating Officer of West Lancashire Borough Council, Borough Councillors and senior officials from the Council. We were very honoured to welcome the Deputy Colonel of the Regiment Colonel A Kennedy along with the Commanding Officer of the Duke of Lancaster Regiment Lieutenant Colonel R Carr and the Regimental Secretary Colonel CW Owen.
Councillor Yvonne Gagen, Leader of West Lancashire Borough Council, added: "Having enjoyed this wonderful parade, we are now all looking forward to celebrating the Queen's Platinum Jubilee with exciting events planned for 2 and 3 June and I encourage everyone across the Borough to come along and join in the celebrations."
Coronation Park, Ormskirk, will host a family fun Jubilee event between midday and 4pm on 2 June, where people can enjoy a funfair and performances by dance troupes and the Skelmersdale Prize Band.
Then at 8.45pm on that day we will join communities across the country in lighting a beacon to mark the Jubilee at Beacon Country Park.
On 3 June, a community festival takes place at Tawd Valley Park, Skelmersdale, between midday and 4pm, with live music and dance groups in the Park's Amphitheatre.
