A PARADE travelled through Llandudno to mark the granting of the Honorary Freedom of the Town on the Royal Air Force Valley.

The honour had been granted by Llandudno Town Council.

The Freedom was granted in 1995 in recognition of the RAF Valley’s service to their country and this was the first parade held for a number of years.

The event, on Sunday, July 9, included a flypast by a Hawk aircraft over the Town Hall as the Parade formed up in Lloyd Street.

RAF Valley Group Captain Matt Hoare; The Mayor of Llandudno, cllr Greg Robbins and the Lord Lieutenant of Clwyd, Henry George Fetherstonhaugh were invited to inspect the Parade by the Parade Commander, Wing Commander Boning before the Parade marched off down Mostyn Street and onto the Promenade.

North Wales Pioneer: An inspection of the Parade was carried out by the Commanding Officer RAF ValMayor of Llandudno, Cllr Greg J T Robbins, helps carry out the inspection.An inspection of the Parade was carried out by the Commanding Officer RAF ValMayor of Llandudno, Cllr Greg J T Robbins, helps carry out the inspection. (Image: Crown Copyright MoD - Sgt Peter Devine)

The High Sheriff of Clwyd, Hon K L Trevor Hill; cllr I G Lloyd, chairman Conwy County Borough Council; the mayoress of Llandudno, Debbie Robbins; the deputy mayor and mayoress, cllr Michael and Lindsay Pearce and the immediate past mayor and immediate past mayoress, cllr Carol Marubbi and Linda Bailey were also in attendance.

RAF Valley’s Station Commander Group Captain Matt Hoare, said: “We were delighted to be given the honour and privilege to parade in Llandudno and continue our special relationship with the town. It was wonderful to receive such a warm welcome and to see so many people enjoying the day.

North Wales Pioneer: A lady pays her respectsA lady pays her respects (Image: Crown Copyright MoD - by Sgt Peter Devine)

"We truly appreciate the support and our sincere thanks go to the mayor, the town council and the residents of Llandudno.”

North Wales Pioneer: The parade travels up the prom in LlandudnoThe parade travels up the prom in Llandudno (Image: Crown Copyright MoD - Sgt Peter Devine.)

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North Wales Pioneer: Commanding Officer for RAF Valley, Group Captain Matt Hoare, The Mayor of Llandudno, Cllr Greg Robbins and the Lord Lieutenant of Clwyd, Henry George Fetherstonhaugh, were all in attendance.Commanding Officer for RAF Valley, Group Captain Matt Hoare, The Mayor of Llandudno, Cllr Greg Robbins and the Lord Lieutenant of Clwyd, Henry George Fetherstonhaugh, were all in attendance. (Image: Crown Copyright MoD - by Sgt Peter Devine.)

The parade was led by the Band of the RAF College Cranwell.

418 (Aberconwy) Squadron Air Cadets also took part. Cadets collected donations for the Royal British Legion and provided a guard of honour at the Band Stand on the promenade where the salute was taken as the parade marched past.

Cllr Robbins said: "As Mayor I was so honoured and proud to be able to welcome RAF Valley back to exercise their right to march through Llandudno.

"The Freedom of Llandudno is not given lightly, and it was given to RAF Valley in 1995 to thank them for all that they do to protect our country, and many others, and to recognise the support they have given in the community also.

"It has been over seven years since they have had the opportunity to march in Llandudno and it was wonderful to see the Hawk fly past, two Flights of Troops, the Colours, and the RAF Band from Cranwell marching with a large crowd supporting them on their way around the town."