The Mercian Regiment to be given freedom of Amber Valley

Amber Valley Borough Council is to grant members of The Mercian Regiment the Freedom of the Borough at a special full-council meeting today.

Brigadier C E Wilkinson, Major R S Prophet, Major M J Green and other officers will attend the meeting to collect the honour, which has been awarded to recognise all their hard work.

The regiment will march through Ripley in March to exercise its new freedom, with a reception at Ripley Leisure Centre for troops and their families taking place afterwards.

"We want to give a real meaning to the Grant of the Freedom of the Borough, to honour the historic rights of the Freedom, which are no longer applicable, and to honour the nation’s covenant with the armed forces to value, respect and reward them and their families," council leader Stuart Bradford said.

Bristol City Football Club recently showed its appreciation to the armed forces by parading troops from EGYPT, Viking Group and the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment at its match against Cardiff City.