The Welsh Guards will be granted the Freedom of the County of Ceredigion in a ceremony in Cardigan on 24 June 2020.
The decision to grant the freedom was taken by Ceredigion County Council in a special meeting on 19 December 2019.
The Colonel Tom Bonas of the Welsh Guards wrote to the council’s Armed Forces Champion to ask that the council consider granting the Freedom of the County to the regiment.
In his letter, Colonel Bonas wrote, “We have Freedoms of other Counties in Wales as well as Cities and Towns, but Ceredigion is a notable exception. It is such a beautiful County with a rich heritage and one we would be greatly honoured to be formally associated with. Thus, I would ask the County Chairman and Council whether they would consider offering Her Majesty's Fifth Regiment of Foot Guards, and Wales' only Foot Guards Regiment, the Freedom of the County.”
The council also confirmed the date of the reaffirmation the Freedom of the County of Ceredigion to the Royal Welsh Regiment. This will be held in Aberaeron on 27 June 2020.
Councillor Paul Hinge is Ceredigion County Council’s Champion for the Armed Forces. He said, “It is an honour and a privilege to be able to offer the Freedom of the County to the Welsh Guards. They have a long and intertwined history with Ceredigion. Many of our citizens are armed forces veterans, many of whom have served in the Welsh Guards.
“This relationship was cemented recently when the council and its partners arranged to place the names of three fallen soldiers on the War Memorial in Cardigan, two of whom were Welsh Guardsman, who lost their lives in the Falkland’s and Afghanistan. Our relationship is equally strong with the Royal Welsh Regiment. Although an entirely different regiment, they will be marching in Aberaeron to reaffirm their already established rights to the Freedom of the County.
“I am delighted that my council colleagues supported this request as we can now provide two spectacular events for the public and visitors to Ceredigion in the month of June, whilst honouring those who defend the nation.”
The decisions honour commitments made by the council in the Armed Forces Community Covenant. The council has previously signed the covenant to support the Armed Forces, their families and veterans.
23/12/2019